We have found a place where anyone can feel comfortable and be appreciated for being you. Michael & Sarah Adams

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1 Knowing, loving and serving God MESSENGER TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH LITTLE ROCK, AR Vol. 2, Issue 11 November 6, 2014 Calendar of events November 8 5:30 p.m. The WonderPlace Family Play Date November 9 9:00 & 11:00 a.m. Sign-up for Salvation Army Angel Tree November 16 9:00 & 11:00 a.m. Sign-up for Salvation Army Angel Tree Donor Sabbath November 20 11:30 a.m. OASIS 1:00 p.m. Prayer Shawl November 22 9:00 a.m. Annual Day of Service tuesdays 9:00 a.m. Tuesday Morning Bible Study 6:30 a.m. Men s Bible Study 7:30 p.m. AA Meetings wednesdays 6:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal Worship times 8:30-10:30 AM Coffee and Fellowship 9:00 AM Solid Grounds Worship-Relaxed Fit* 11:00 AM Worship-Updated Traditional* 10:00 AM Sunday School* *child care available **child care by request office HOURS MON-THURS 8:30-4:30 Friday 8:30-12:30 Emergency numbers Rev. Betsy: Gayle Fiser: Office will be closed on Thursday & Friday November 27 & 28 We have found a place where anyone can feel comfortable and be appreciated for being you. Michael & Sarah Adams Trinity members and guests, please join us for special worship as we conclude our sermon series, Dare to Dream: Getting a God-Sized Goal for Your Life. Bring your estimate-of-giving card (pledge card) and present it as we celebrate what we have been given by God. (Additional cards are in the sanctuary pews. If you can t be at either service, stream the service online and mail your card, or bring it by the office.) With over 40 new members this year, new babies, and younger families, we invite everyone to participate in taking our church to the next level. Coming to Sunday School and worship services has helped me to bring the busyness of the week to a halt. Katherine Stanick Dreaming What More We Can Be Is Here! Commitment Sunday, November 9 at 9 and 11 a.m. Worship (And Save the Date for Sun. Jan. 11 for a Church-wide Celebration Meal) What is the next level? Last year s strategic planning emphasized new ministry in children and youth music, a new non-traditional worship, technology and communications, more community engagement, and more growth together in our own discipleship. We have challenged ourselves to a dream budget of an additional $300,000. Not every person or family can increase their giving, but many can. And if 350 households gave an additional $17 per week, that would raise an additional $300,000! Yes, Trinity s dream budget is large, yet no Big Hairy Audacious God-Purpose is easily done, or Continued On page 2 1 Trinity united methodist church 1101 North Mississippi little rock, AR Phone fax tumclr.org

2 STAFF Senior minister Rev. Betsy Singleton Snyder Minister Of music David Glaze Children s minister Paul Owen powen@tumclr.org Youth minister Jay Sweningson jay@tumclr.org Communication Minister Judy Gribble judy@tumclr.org Director of Worship Arts with Children & Youth Charles Stanley charles@tumclr.org Minister for Congregational Care Gayle Fiser gayle@tumclr.org Being a part of Trinity for the past two years has been a rewarding experience. Chris & Rachel Stevens it wouldn t be a big God dream! Think on this quote from a pastor who grew a huge, impactful church in the middle of a rural field against all odds: The problem is that you and I tend to focus on what we don t have versus what we do have.. in God, everything that you need you have already been given. In God, all the resources required to accomplish the mission you were created for you already possess. (Rev. Mike Slaughter, Dare to Dream) (Don t forget that Trinity now offers online and text giving (tumclr.org), as well as AFT.) Rev. Betsy Blue Christmas Worship Service Sunday, December 7, 5 p.m. Trinity Sanctuary Trinity has given me a place to call my church home. Mira Cary Trinity preschool director Tammy Childress tammyc@tumclr.org Financial secretary Susan Garner susan@tumclr.org Office manager Kim Mills kim@tumclr.org Holidays can be a difficult time for many people. Trinity will offer a special worship service to draw spiritual strength and hope on Sunday, December 7 at 5 p.m. in the main sanctuary. The evening service will feature some very special music by our diverse, talented musicians and vocalists, as well as time for silence, discerning what is real in a world that is often disappointing, and a space for persons who are sad, estranged, isolated for varieties of reasons, from death, loss, depression, dislocation, or the burden of having too much or not enough. The focus on the time together will be the hope we find in a small child born in a world of violence, oppression, and marginalization. God in flesh came to dwell among us and began the circumstances of life in a poor, homeless, struggling family. This child grew up to embrace and love those in the most difficult of situations, and we celebrate that we, too, can come to feel his love and grace even when our nights are long and restless. Join us for a special evening, and bring someone who needs to feel God s care and love in a welcoming community of faith. Hot cocoa and cookies to follow. Trained therapy dogs will also be available for petting and comfort.

3 MISSION OPPORTUNITIES/MIRACLE TEAM 2014 SALVATION ARMY ANGEL TREE PROGRAM The Salvation Army is preparing for the 2014 Angel Tree activities and it s time for volunteers to sign-up. As in past years, clothing and toys will be provided at Christmas to thousands of needy children in Central Arkansas through these efforts. Trinity UMC has been the major contributor of volunteers for the Park Plaza Mall Angel Tree reception/gift collection location in Little Rock for over fifteen years. Numerous Central Arkansas Salvation Army Commanders have stated that they have never been in another location before where a single church has provided so much support to the Angel tree program. This includes not only efforts at Park Plaza, but at the sites of the distribution of gifts to the families of children being assisted. Volunteer sign-up to staff the Park Plaza Angel Tree booth in the TUMC Narthex has begun, immediately following the 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. worship services, and continue on Nov. 2, Nov. 9, and Nov. 16. To sign-up anytime, please call Don Steely anytime at changing lives through missions FAITHWORKS MONTHLY MISSION CHANGING LIVES Ingathering 2014 Ingathering is a supply drive to benefit United Methodist relief ministries in Arkansas and worldwide. This year Trinity is collecting items for Health Kits. Health kits provide basic necessities to people who have been forced to leave their homes because of human conflict or natural disaster. See bulletin insert for the specific list of items or find them on the UMCOR website at Supplies/Relief-Supply-Kits/Health. Drop off items by Sunday, November 15. Faithworks november events The Arkansas Conference has set aside Saturday, November 22, as an Annual Day of Service for United Methodists of Arkansas. The Miracle Team invites Trinity members and visitors to join in one of the following activities Meet at Martin Hall at 9:00 a.m. to assemble Health Kits OR Volunteer with other United Methodist at the Rice Depot at 9:00 a.m. Sign-up on the Connect Card or Contact Laurie Norman at llnorm@swbell.net for more information. Prayer requests for the church & community: Please remember the following church members, families and guests in your prayers: Illness: Bill Elliott, Barbara Webb, Travis Tunnell, Mary Smead, Greg Adair, Danny Harris, Diann Brumback, Mona Hughes, Marty and Jerry Sullivan, Loree Treat, Reagan Hinsley, Bonnie Bynum, Ruth McCargo, Kim Capp, Gabe and Mary Hunter, John Webb, Nancy Clark, James McDaniel, Mary Frances Hodges, Lois Looney, Karen Verser, David Swift, Patti Pieroni, Nina Pieroni, Jim Trickett, Anne Hunter, Regina Wilson. Homebound: Offie Lites, Dottie Fulmer, Clay Price, Wallace Hurley, Bill Elmore. sympathy: Richard Cash and family in the death of his brother-in-law, Candy Murphy and family on the death of her Father, Dorothy Morey and family in the death of her husband Don. Military: Patrick Taylor, Will Goggans, Derek Hays, Nick Price, Matthew Knef, all veterans. Expectant Parents: Courtney and Paul Kelly, Katherine and Charlie Williams, Rachel and Chris Stevens, Marlena and Patrick Wilson, Rachelle and Rob Maass. trips: Tour of the Holy Land, Disney 2015., Spring Break Ski Trip. Other Concerns: Peace and healing for Ferguson, MO, tornado survivors in long time recovery, for all caregivers, for our leaders, the church and the world, safety for the Hyman family in Gaza, Peace in Middle East, Nigerian school girls, ebola outbreak, displaced and hungry children. Please send your prayer request to Judy Gribble at judy@tumclr.org or call It will appear in the next newsletter and on screen during our worship services. Attendance totals October 19 Worship 341 Sunday School 173 Online 35 October 26 Worship 357 Sunday School 236 Online 21 November 2 Worship 421 Sunday School 214 Online 62 3

4 Ministries Oasis luncheon november 20 11:30 am The next OASIS luncheon will be November 20 at 11:30 in Martin Hall. Tasha Warrior and her family will dress in hand-made Native American clothing and perform their ancestral dances. They have participated in many international festivals and events. Please call, sign up or Gayle Fiser at to register. donor Sabbath sunday, november 16 Trinity UMC will participate in National Donor Sabbath on Sunday, November 16 as we affirm the gift of hope passed on to others through organ donation. A representative of ARORA (Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Agency) will be available after worship to answer questions and to assist with completion of organ donation cards. financial peace university sundays at 9 AM january 11 - march 8 Join Kim and Nat Mills on Sundays from 9:00-10:45 a.m., January 11-March 8 as they facilitate a series of video presentations by Dave Ramsey s Financial Peace University. Dave Ramsey teaches practical, biblically based principles to pay off your home mortgage, car loan, credit card debt, plan for your children s college fund and your retirement. For more information about Financial Peace University, visit the website at To register for the class contact Kim at kim@tumclr.org or Music TRINITY Cokesbury Hymn Society November 23 4 pm Cokesbury Hymn Society will meet on November 23 at 4:00 p.m. in the Open Door classroom. If you enjoy singing old hymns, come join us and bring a friend. Please contact Sarah Woolfolk at for questions. new hand chimes We are very excited to announce that our church has a brand new set of Schulmerich Hand Chimes, given through the generosity of Trinity church member Beth King in memory of her late husband, Don. Beth and her family have always had a great dedication and interest in the music program at Trinity, and the addition of these hand chimes will add greatly to the music in our worship services. Charles Stanley, our new Director of Worship Arts with Children and Youth, is especially happy to be able to now expand the children s hand bell program with these beautiful new instruments. The church already has the MiniTones for very young children, as well as Schulmerich hand bells for youth. Even though the hand chimes will be primarily be used for children in grades 3-5, more and more music is being written for adults who play hand chimes. Parents, make sure your children are here on Sunday afternoons to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity! For more information please contact Mr. Charles at Charles@tumclr.org or We will look forward to hearing heavenly sounds soon! Many thanks, Beth TRINITY Youth Annual Ham Smoke Annual Ham Smoke for youth will be on December 20. These are GREAT presents, donations to shelters and food kitchens, and they are of course perfect for your Christmas holiday dinner or party!! Details on how to get yours, coming soon! Annual Winter Retreat Mark your calendars youth and parents, if there is one event we do all year that you DO NOT want to miss, this is it. The Annual Winter Retreat to Shepherd of the Ozarks will be January 30 - February 1, Details and costs to follow soon! Spring Break Ski Trip Breckenridge, co Join us on March 21-27, 2015 for a ski trip with the youth in Breckenridge, Co. This is open to youth and their family and friends, and church members. The cost is $575/person if we use our vehicles, $695/ person if we get enough to charter a bus,. The price includes: 4 nights lodging at Wedgewood Ski Lodge A ski-in from across on Four O clock Run/a ski-out from Snow Flake Lift (located on the Breckenridge Trolley and Bus routes) A $15 meal voucher per skier to be used at any of the ski area restaurants 3 day lift ticket valid for skiing at Breckenridge and Keystone and one day of skiing at Vail 3 day basic sport ski package includes boots, poles, skis along with DAMAGE insurance. Spaces are first come first serve. A $150 deposit is due on or before December 3, to secure your spot, with the remaining balance due by January 2. Contact Jay at jay@tumclr.org for more information and if you are interested in skiing with us! 4

5 Believers Village rotation november 30-January 4 Travel with us to Bethlehem on a special, starry night to watch the miracle unfold. Grades 1-5 will prepare for and experience the Advent/Christmas story through the eyes of the angels, the shepherds, Mary and Joseph, the Wise Men, and the animals themselves as they all wake up to one very special early morning SONrise. Be with us during this meaningful time from 10:00-0:50 a.m. each Sunday in Believers Village wonderplace saturday, november 8 Get ready for a Rollicking Good Time at the WonderPlace in Breckenridge Village! On Saturday, November 8th from 5:30-7:00 p.m., infants through Kindergarten children are invited to a play date featuring Brian and Terri Kinder. Bring your young children and invite another family to be part of this children s concert. We ll be creating new friendships with children of your child s age and learning what Trinity has to offer your children from birth through 6th grade confirmation. Admission is free, and light snacks will be served! Worship ARts Trinity children Kindergarten thru 5th grade are in for an exciting October in the Worship Arts Ministry! This month, during service, Trinity s children will continue to follow Rev. Betsy s sermons and explore how to be good stewards for God through art, science and music. Believers village: Blast off! Launching Kids on a Mission of God s love Citizens of Believers Village Grades 1-5 concluded their Fall rotation with an outreach mission project to local businesses in the Midtown area. Following the key Bible verse, Let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. (1 John 4:7), twelve Trick or Treat bags were filled with candy, surprises, and other treats to be delivered to Midtown area businesses. A card reading, We are your Midtown Methodist Church. We are here if you need us! was attached to each treat bag along with our contact information. Hollywood Feed, The Costume Closet, McDonalds on Cantrell, The Knowledge Tree, and Shipley s on Markham were among some of the businesses receiving the treat bags. Fifteen Un-birthday Bags were filled with surprises to help celebrate the unbirthdays of the children presently living at Our House, a local temporary homeless shelter. Children gathered in the entrance lobby of the new children s wing to receive these treat bags. Also, twelve Love Those Pets bags were filled with a variety of pet supplies and delivered to the pet rescue shelter, Out of the Woods. The Love Those Pets bags are to be given to parents who foster our animal friends until they are adopted. All of these activities reflected our Bible Point for this rotation God loves us, so... love each other! TUMC MEMORIALS & HONORARIA memorials Georgeann Osam by Judy Orintas, Susan Johnson, Carol Isom, Virginia Claxton, Don and Barbara Steely, Ben and Dorthea Arnold, Ken and Mary Kay Hendrix, Dale Adcock (Prayer Shawl), Steve and Barbara Bonds Sid Painter (Beautification) Susie Painter, Virginia Claxton, Don and Barbara Steely, Ben and Dorthea Arnold, Bob and Pat Parette (Garden Guild) Charles Presher by The Wheeler Family Jim Foster by Bob and Pat Parette (Garden Guild) Ralph Treat by Steve and Barbara Bonds Honorariums Barbara Webb by Steve and Barbara Bonds 5

6 Worship & Events New members New members Cecilia Norwood Cecilia, daughter of Nell Hurley, joined Trinity on October 26. She is already a member of the Journeys Class. Kathy and Steve Crow Kathy and Steve joined Trinity on October 19. They were recently married, but knew each other as children. Baptism baptism Simon De Millo Simon, son of Hilary and Andrew, was baptized on October 19. Beau Carter Beau, son of JoJo and Aaron Carter, was baptized on October 12. Cross and cord Sunday Acolytes received recognition on. Oliver Holt, Bethany Olsen, John Bell, Josie Switzer, Anna Harris, Audrey Georgia, Hampson Barg, Emily Bell, Rebekah Jackson, Livia McKnight, Lucian Baugh, and Carter Collins Flash mob Pat McClelland, other volunteers and Trinity Staff flash-mobbed the Brady Elementary staff and administration. Pat is a tutor and is pictured with three Brady students. 6

7 Trinity in action Disney characters and their friends attend Trick or Trunk Tiffany Mattingly visits with some of our Trinity youth costumed for the event Peter Pan, Benjamin Trussell; Snow White, Katie Kumpuris; Pocahontas, Mira Cary; Jasmine, Lauren Oury; and our resident hippie, Stephen Bredensteiner. Charles Stanley pet blessing Mr. Paul, as St. Francis of Assisi, was helped by Ashlyn Sorrows and Arden Elliott and Jamie Metcalf. Jonathan Putna pumpkin outreach First grade citizens of Believers Village prepare give-away treat pumpkins for area businesses as an outreach ministry. Joan Simon leads Reece Simon, Jackson Webster, Eden Holman, Gabe Adams, and Jacqueline Fritchman in the outreach. Katie Kumpuris world communion day Children from Believers Village helped with worship by representing different countries as they brought in the Communion elements for World Communion Sunday. Some of the countries portrayed were Australia, Caleb Collins; Japan, Livia McKnight; Nigeria, Hayden Kirby; Native America, Reece Simon; Germany, Rebekah Jackson; and India, Penn Snyder. It s a full house! Trinity continues to grow in young families and children. Children of God s Garden of Angels Joined Believers Village for St. Francis of Assisi Sunday to celebrate the Blessing of the Animals. We had a full house on Sunday, October 9. alternative worship The non-traditional worship team continues to work on developing a service at 9 a.m. The service is in a development phase or soft launch. When ready, the team will plan to launch the service to the community. 7

8 TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 1101 North Mississippi Little Rock, AR NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID LITTLE ROCK, AR PERMIT #2043 Address Service Requested Stay connected facebook.com tumclr.org OUR PURPOSE To build a Christian community where non-religious and nominally religious people are becoming deeply committed Christians. next sermon series: nov. 30-dec.24 From Dark Night to Son Light We forget God uses darkness to speak to us, to understand the world in new ways. We forget God promised Abraham a future under the stars at night. We forget that God appears in dreams to Jacob and Joseph. God speaks to Samuel, the prophet, when he goes to sleep. Ruth is given a lapful of grain as a sign of hope at night. Jesus is born under a dark night lit by a wondrous star. The holy family flees to safety at night. We live in a world so full of light that we forget about God s guidance through things seen and unseen. Sometimes we grow the most when we are in the dark. What are your fears? What worries keep you up in the darkness? What darkness within keeps you from embracing God s grace? Join us this sacred Advent and Christmas season as we put aside our fears and anxieties to get to know the Christ who helps us find courage to face life s challenging times. Let us look for God s gift, the baby, who brought and brings hope in the darkness.

9 Look for the Helpers Several weeks ago, I was in the Believers Village, our church s Sunday school and worship arts area for children. The children were learning about loving and serving God and others, and we were learning a song that would tie together all of their lessons from that unit. My time with the young people began with a discussion of ways we can show God s love to others by helping and serving them. To activate the children s mental wheels, I directed their attention to their homes, and how they could serve even there. There were raised hands throughout the room, as many answers like take out the trash or clean my room or load the dishwasher were given. I took the discussion further when I asked the questions of why their parents might ask them to help. I quickly received a response from one of the children who said a parent might ask a child to complete a task at home because they don t want to do it themselves. I did my best to maintain a serious Mr. Charles face, when responding to the child, even though I chuckled a bit inwardly. I almost immediately steered the discussion to why it is important for us to be helpers. However, I did pause, briefly, to think about some of the truth that could lie within the child s response. Sometimes, we as Christians drop the ball when it comes to serving. This could be for a myriad of reasons. Perhaps, we are too tired. Perhaps, we feel intimidated. Or maybe, we have forgotten how God has called each of us to serve one another. I like the New Revised Standard Version translation of 1 Peter 4:10 which says, Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. When I joined the Trinity staff, about eight weeks ago, I was amazed at all of the serving in the church done by our people. Just about every day of the week, we have members fulfilling our church purpose as deeply committed Christians, working toward our church s vision to change lives, transform our community and renew the church of Jesus Christ, including Trinity. Although the main programs I am overseeing at Trinity are new and developing a music and related arts program for young people and a non-traditional worship service the helpers were not slow to show up at my doorstep, introduce themselves, and go quickly to work. In the Believers Village each Sunday afternoon, from 3:30 5:30, any young people in Kindergarten through 5th grade, have the opportunity to make music in choir and on bells and chimes. I am appreciative of the service of Rachelle Maass, Cindy Varner, Robin Fritchman, and Jennie Kirby as we have met each week. On Sunday, October 19, our youth handbell choir for grades 6 12 began rehearsals in the bell rehearsal area, which also serves as my office. The group meets from 4:30 5:30 each week. Marci Robertson, has been a wonderful asset to this program in the past, and she has volunteered to continue working with our youth. Several weeks ago, our church began a testing period for our 9:00 worship service. Staff and church members working to develop this service into a non-traditional service that would be distinctly Trinity, with influence from a wide variety of musical styles. I have been fortunate to have the musical assistance of Jonathan Putnam and Katie Kumpuris, as we work through this trial period of showing the congregation what this service could become. When I am thinking about the many ways people serve, I tend to be reminded of something once said by Fred Rogers, used initially as a comforting response to tragic events. He said, When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping. At Trinity, the staff is so blessed by all of the helpers. We are fortunate that we do not have to search for the helpers. They already have shown up at the doorstep. Charles Stanley Director of Music and Worship Arts for Children & Youth 1101 North Mississippi Avenue Little Rock, AR

10 Other Happenings... Trinity Presents Trinity presents sunday, november 16 6:00 pm The Clark Family Trio Eleven-year-old Sally Ann Clark and her big sister, 16-year-old Sophie, have literally grown up singing with their Mom, Cindy, who also plays upright bass for the group. Accompanied by guitarist Bill Nesbitt, they perform modern Bluegrass, Fold, Jazz and Gospel favorites, featuring tight three-part family harmonies accompanied by fingerstyle and flatpicked acoustic guitar. This wonderful performance remains FREE to the public through your generosity. Trinity Presents is funded entirely by patron donations. Your support funds the Trinity Presents Performance Series and ensures this cultural outreach program continues. Please continue to support Trinity Presents by donating through our facebook page at facebook.com/trinitypresentsperformanceseries Holiday 2014! a concert of christmas carols and other seasonal favorites Mark your calendar for a concert of Christmas carols and other seasonal favorites. The concert is presented by The River City Men s Chorus and Alisa Coffey, Guest Harpist Sunday, November 30 at 3:00 p.m. Monday, December 1 at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 7 at 7:00 p.m. Admission is FREE North Mississippi Avenue Little Rock, AR