YOU MESSENGER BECAUSE OF... WHAT'S INSIDE? FALL STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN LIKE US ON FACEBOOK TO STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE HAPPENINGS OF THE CHURCH!

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1 THE MESSENGER TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH VOLUME 82 ISSUE 11 November 2017 WHAT'S INSIDE? THANKSGIVING AT TRINITY see page 2 advent at trinity see page 2 building committee update see page 3 hurricane relief offering see page TURKEY DINNER see page 9 fair trade update see page 11 BECAUSE OF... YOU FALL STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN Watch your mail for this year s commitment card and prayerfully consider how you can support our mission and ministry at Trinity Lutheran Church. It s because of you and your support that we are able to welcome the community to worship and grow in serving God. LIKE US ON FACEBOOK TO STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE HAPPENINGS OF THE CHURCH! / TRINITYMHD

2 Dear friends in Christ, There s plenty of exciting stuff happening at Trinity, isn t there? We have: incredible pastors (if I do say so myself) even more incredible staff inspiring worship services innovative educational ministries outstanding music a top-notch preschool an active Friends in Faith youth ministry that young men & women are excited to tell their friends about young children coming out of our ears many generations actively participating in the life of the congregation a building that is frequently used by community groups and organizations ample space for local artists to exhibit their work hot coffee As we have heard this fall, all of these aspects of our lives of faith together happen because of you. Because of you, I am part of what is happening at Trinity. Because of you, I am a part of our Sunday and Wednesday School. Because of you, I am a part of the CLC worship ensemble. Because of you, I am a part of the upcoming ELCA Youth Gathering in Houston. Because of you, I am a part of the Mission Workshop quilting group. It is because of you and your gifts to the mission and ministry of Trinity Lutheran Church that all of this ministry happens. Without you, it wouldn t! Because of you, I have given and grown in my giving over the years. Through this giving, I have come to know what true joy is. It is in seeing the faces of the Minims sing and knowing that I am a part of their song through my gifts; it is in praying for the sick during worship and knowing that I am a part of their healing. As I give, these things give me joy in return. Yet, more important than the tangible benefits that either I receive or Trinity receives is the benefit of building up the body of Christ. I believe that God s Good News about Jesus Christ changes everything and that God is transforming us and sending us every single one of us into the world to spread and live that Good News. That s what Trinity is about it is who we are. This is the ministry that your financial stewardship supports. God is made known in the world because of you. FRom THE PASTOR S DESK 1 I am thankful for your faithful support of Trinity s mission and ministry. I am confident that through your prayers, presence and participation in Trinity s ministries that you are stewards who have helped this congregation make a real difference in the lives of the people that Trinity serves in Jesus name. I believe, with the apostle Paul, that there is a power at work within us, as God s people, to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine. I take God at God s word and give thanks for you. This week, you will receive your 2018 Estimate of Giving card in the mail. You are invited to fill this card out and bring it with you to worship during the week of November 12, confident that it is because of you and because of You, O God, that we are able to serve our mission together. Over the next two weeks, I hope that you are able to have prayerful conversation in your household about all of the exciting things that are happening at Trinity, where you find joy among these exciting things, and how you might respond with excitement and joy in your giving. Invite God to be part of this conversation! God is active in and through this process, and indeed is the source behind all spiritual growth. It is because of You, O God, that we have been brought together as Trinity Lutheran Church, so we continue our mission of welcoming the community to worship and grow in serving God. In Christ, PASTOR matt peterson matt@trinitymhd.org , ext. 310 Welcoming the community to worship and grow in serving God.

3 Thanksgiving at trinity You are invited to worship at our Thanksgiving Eve service at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 22. Our Cathedral Choir and Children s Choirs will be singing. Come and give thanks for the many gifts God has given us! During this service, you will receive a special offering envelope for ELCA World Hunger. Please give generously to respond to a world in need as we gather around our own tables on Thanksgiving. Speaking of Thanksgiving Day, things will be a little quieter around here than usual. Please read this statement from Trinity and St. Joe s about the Community Thanksgiving Dinner: For 22 years, St. Joe s Catholic and Trinity Lutheran churches have joined together in hosting a Community Thanksgiving Dinner, inviting anyone who may not have had a place to go for Thanksgiving to gather around the table. Over the years, we have served tens of thousands of meals. It is no small feat! As we give thanks for the years of hard work and commitment many have provided in planning and executing these meals, we recognize that for both congregations it has been more difficult in recent years to find leaders to plan the dinner, find all of the volunteers and donations, purchase and gather supplies, and set everything up for Thanksgiving Day. Given these realities and other circumstances this year, we have jointly decided to take a break from offering the Community Thanksgiving Dinner this year. We hope that by taking this time to rest and reflect, we can approach future Community Thanksgiving Dinners with fresh eyes and hopefully some new volunteers and energy as well. Just as fields are sometimes left fallow for a season so that they may produce more in coming years just as observing the Sabbath, the day of rest, prepares us to better go about serving God and our neighbors in the following days it is our hope that the Moorhead Community Thanksgiving Dinner will come back in 2018 with great energy and a commitment to again welcoming all people to gather at our Thanksgiving table. ADVENT AT TRINITY Advent is Coming! A baby is on the way, and we re not talking about Pastor Kristina s baby. Hopefully by the time you read this, her little boy will be here! But, soon we will again enter into the Advent season of preparing for the birth of Christ. Getting ready for a baby takes a lot of thought and planning. There are even apps available with checklists of things to accomplish everyday things like washing the newborn clothes, dusting off the infant car seat, and making it to all of those doctor appointments. Being reminded to do a little each day helps to pace out the work and the waiting. This year, we will be giving out Advent calendars so that all of our families can participate in the tradition of anticipating Baby Jesus birth during the season of Advent by opening one door a day until Christmas. We hope you will include this in your family s daily Advent tradition or start a new one this year. Advent calendars will be available on November 26 and 29 following worship. Please pick one up! 2 As has been tradition, we will also have various giving trees up in the Narthex and CLC Lobby. This year, one of those trees will include ornaments from the ELCA s Good Gifts program. You will be able to take an ornament and purchase something like a chick, a pair of goats, or even a latrine to help someone in need. We hope you will participate in this ministry supporting our global church. A baby is on the way, and it s time to prepare. Advent begins at worship on November 26 here at Trinity Lutheran Church. LATE BREAKING NEWS! Archer Alex Brown Waters arrived safely on October 27.

4 BUILDING COMMITTEE UPDATE Having invited seven architectural companies to present qualifications for a potential building project at Trinity, we have selected three finalists to present in person to the Building Committee on the evening of Monday, October 30. After the presentations, the committee will then select one company to begin the work of pulling together a concept that will address the five problem areas that were identified by the Facility Dream Team. (Check out pages of the Dream Team Recommendations online at for more detail.) The goal will be to present this concept to the congregation at our Annual Meeting in February Join us between services on Sunday, November 19, for an update on the Building Committee s work, and discover which company was selected (and why) to partner with us on this important step toward our future mission and ministry. PARKING & HOSPITALITY Parking & Hospitality As we continue to implement the recommendations of our Dream Teams, I want to highlight the recent updates in our parking lots and draw your attention to the new signage recommended by the Hospitality Dream Team. In addition to the accessible parking signs in all three lots, we now have four spaces for visitors in our 8 th Street lot, just north of the 8 th Street entrance. Please be respectful of these signs and park accordingly as we practice hospitality and welcome those who choose to visit us here at Trinity. When parking in general, especially for worship services and especially if you are able-bodied, please give consideration to parking in our lots on the north side of 2 nd Street (next to the costume shop or Lost & Found Recovery Center) or on adjacent streets, leaving the closest spaces to the entrances for families with young children or for those who have mobility issues. It really is an issue of hospitality, and we practice GREAT HOSPITALITY at Trinity. Thank you for your support and cooperation. Alison Andreasen Church Council President A TRIP TO THE MOTHERLAND IT S HAPPENING! Thank you to all who attended the interest meeting last month about traveling to the United Kingdom with Pastor Simon! A trip will be scheduled for April/May of 2019 and sign-ups will begin in March of Watch for upcoming information in the February issue of The Messenger. 3

5 NEWS & NOTES NADIA BOLZ-WEBER AT CONCORDIA The Forum on Faith and Life at Concordia College presents Nadia Bolz-Weber, New York Times best-selling author, ELCA pastor, and Founder of the House for All Sinners and Saints in Denver, on Thursday, November 2, at 7 p.m. in the Centrum. This event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not be required. school of discipleship: NOVEMBER November 5 We re All Saints and Sinners November 12 Honoring Our Neighbor s Faith: The Roman Catholic Church November 19 Trinity Building Committee Update November 26 A Look at the Season of Advent ALL SAINTS SUNDAY Join us on Sunday, November 5, as we celebrate All Saints and take a moment in worship to remember those of our congregation who have died during the past 12 months, and those who have had an impact on our own lives of faith. There will be an opportunity to light candles in their momory. Coffee cake will be served between services in the CLC. CHURCHES UNITED GIVING TREE Select a tag from the Churches United for the Homeless giving tree in the narthex Sunday, November 19-Sunday, December 10. All giving tree gifts will directly benefit children and adults staying at the shelter. Gifts should be returned new, unwrapped and with the tree tag to Trinity s main office by Wednesday, December 13. For more information, contact Amanda Peterson at amandajpeterson@gmail.com. The Essential Lutheran Handbook There are still copies of The Essential Lutheran Handbook available in the church office. The handbooks are a gift from the Trinity Foundation to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. One per family. Dave Ramsey SmartMoney Event Join us Tuesday, November 7 at 7 p.m. in the CLC for a 3-hour live streaming event of Dave Ramsey s SmartMoney. Dave will lay out a seven step plan to get out of debt, build wealth, and give like you ve never done before. This event is free and open to the public. Friday Fellowship Join us for Friday Fellowship this month on November 15 at 2:00 p.m. in the CLC! Clark Tufte, longtime Trinity member and educator, will be presenting on A Lite Look at Aging. He will also show a video. Please join us! concordia christmas concerts It s that time of year again! Senior Ministry is going to the Concordia Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 3. We ll meet at the church at 1:15 p.m. to depart on the bus. Join us for dinner after the concert! Price is $16 for the meal. If you re interested, please sign up in the church office or call TLCW BAKE SALE BAZAAR It s that time of year again! The Trinity Lutheran Church Women are selling baked goods at the Moorhead Center Mall Bazaar from November We need your delicious baked goods and your help! Please bring your baked goods to the Moorhead Center Mall the mornings of November If you d like to sign up to volunteer at the bazaar or if you have any questions, please contact Char Skaff at charmskaff@aol.com or call the church office at

6 TRINITY FOUNDATION board The Trinity Foundation is up to the challenge! If your group or committee is planning an event to raise funds for a particular cause or charity, you may qualify for a Challenge Grant. Guidelines The Trinity Lutheran Church Foundation funds projects that are in harmony with the congregation s mission. Proposals receiving funding generally fall within three areas: Unbudgeted congregational projects at Trinity Lutheran Church, Local community projects expressing Trinity s mission, Regional and global projects engaged in ministry and outreach. The Foundation encourages consideration of Challenge Grants that provide incentive for others to increase their charitable giving. Funds from the Foundation are not intended for dayto-day operating expenses. Application Process Complete and submit the application along with a cover letter and any other information you would like to provide that supports your request to the Business Manager at Trinity Lutheran Church. If needed, a Grant Review Committee will meet to review proposals and forward its recommendations to the Foundation Board. Let us know your needs; we may be able to help! TRINITY FOUNDATION CONCERT SERIES Mark these dates on your calendar for this season s Trinity Foundation Concert Series: OCTOBER 29, 2017 DECEMBER 16, 2017 JANUARY 13 & 14, 2018 Halloween Organ Spooktacular! presented by Andrew Steinberg Lessons & Carols of Kings presented by Trinity Cathedral Choir Rutter s Requiem presented by the FM Choral Artists FEBRUARY 9, 2018 APRIL 21, 2018 JUNE 16, 2018 Hymn Festival featuring organist David Cherwien Great Plains Harmony in concert Minnesota All State Lutheran Choir LESSONS & CAROLS OF KINGS Saturday, December 16 7 p.m. SANCTUARY Following in the tradition of King s College, Cambridge, join us for this classic opportunity to prepare hearts & minds for the Christmas season. Community members will share lessons and the Trinity Cathedral Choir will lead us in carols. Trinity members have enjoyed this tradition for many, many years. Hopefully you ll make this a part of your annual preparations for Christmas too! A free-will offering will be collected in aid of World Hunger. 5

7 COUNCIL UPDATE FINANCIAL REPORT September 2017 Income $ 93,574 Year-to-Date Income $ 860,875 Expenses $ 107,363 Year-to-Date Expenses $ 960,085 Balance $ (13,788) Year-to-Date Balances $ (99,210) Thank you for your continued and faithful support of our mission and ministry. Online giving options are available on Trinity s website at If you would like information about Joyful-E-Giving, our electronic contribution program, please contact the church office. MOBILE GIVING APP Mobile app giving is available for both iphones (App Store) and Android (Google Play). Search GivePlus Church to download the app to your phone. Please contact the church office with questions. Building Committee update Building Committee members are Ericka Barnett, Curt Kasper, Eric Greiff, Frank Pierce, Dee Pretty, and Shellie Simonson Ulven, Matt Leiseth and Pastor Simon. Eight local architectural and engineering design firms have responded to the Committee s Request for Qualifications (RFQ). The Building Committee has narrowed the field to three firms who will proceed. As the next step in the process, the three firms met with the Committee on October 30 to present proposals. STEWARDSHIP THEME The stewardship theme for this year is Because of you.... Temple Talks will be given during worship services leading up to Stewardship Sunday on November Annual Meeting Council approved the 2017 Annual Meeting to be held at 6:30 p.m. on February 11, 2018, in the CLC. September 2017 pastoral acts WEDDINGS: Jensen Penas & Bryan Praska Prayer Chain Baptisms: Anson Magnus Erickson Bode Michael Anderson Funerals: Bettie Withnell Audrey Knauf Cordell Johnson Lisa Graff Scott Fridlund For the month of November, the prayer chain will be praying for members whose last names begin with the letter T, U, and V. 6

8 Pancreatic Cancer Vigil & Walk The Fargo/Moorhead Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Group will host its Fifth Annual Pancreatic Cancer Vigil and Walk on Thursday, November 16, in downtown Fargo. The event aims to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer. It is free and open to the public to attend. Event registration and a silent auction begin at 5:30 p.m. at First Lutheran Church located at 619 Broadway. At 6:30 p.m., a short program honoring loved ones who have battled pancreatic cancer will be followed by The Purple Walk. Participants are encouraged to wear purple the color of pancreatic cancer awareness. Purple glow sticks will be handed out to illuminate the walk with purple. Participants will walk along Broadway toward the Hotel Donaldson, which will be lit in purple in honor of the walk. Silent auction proceeds and donations will go toward an endowment through the Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center to help fund the effort to get Fargo/Moorhead patients recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer into clinical trials. It will also fund gas cards for rural patients who travel to Fargo for treatment. For more information, please follow the organization on its Facebook page. About the Fargo/Moorhead Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Group The Fargo/Moorhead Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Group is a 501(c)(3) organization giving a voice to individuals and families impacted by pancreatic cancer in the community through faith-based activities, awareness and education, advocacy and patient and family support. For more information, please visit its Facebook page. boy scout TROOP 637 Hello, this is Ethan again from Troop 637. Last month, we sold popcorn. Thank you everyone who got some. It is Boy Scouts biggest fundraiser that helps scouts go to camps like Camp Wilderness. We also did some lashing and knots to work on our scout skills, had a fun night where we did a bean bag tournament, and watched a movie that was part of our Citizenship in the Community merit badge. Some scouts traveled to Ely, MN, and got a tour of the Lake Vermillion-Soudan mine. We were able to see the mine carts and got to see where the miners would work. We slept in front of the International Wolf Exhibit, and went to see the International Bear Exhibit. Come downstairs to see the pictures of the trip that I put up. In November, we will continue working on our merit badges for the Court of Honor, which is an awards ceremony where scouts get merit badges they have earned the last couple of months and sometimes a rank advancement. We also get to show all the parents a slideshow of all the fun the scouts had. That is all. Talk to you next month. ETHAN SCULTHORP, TROOP 637 HISTorIAN 7

9 CHILDREN'S MINISTRY Children s Christmas Worship Services Practice for three-year-olds through sixth graders begins on Wednesday, November 1, and Sunday, November 5. Children will meet each Sunday and Wednesday during the Sunday School hour (9:35-10:25 a.m.) and the Wednesday School hour (4:45-5:25 p.m.). We invite and encourage all children to attend Sunday School or Wednesday School regularly during this time of preparation. Mark your calendars for the combined dress rehearsal on December 9 at 10 a.m., and Children s Christmas Worship Services on Sunday, December 10, and Wednesday, December 13. Additional details will follow in a postcard and the December Messenger. Hurricane Harvey Relief a children s offering fall emphasis After the floodwaters of Hurricane Harvey receded, members of Messiah Lutheran Church in Cypress, Texas, returned to their building to discover the mess that Harvey left behind. As we in the Red River Valley know all too well, they are working hard this fall to remove and then replace ruined flooring, drywall, furniture, and supplies. Their preschool and nursery rooms were especially hit hard. During November, Trinity kids will be gathering an offering to help Messiah purchase new furniture and supplies for their preschool and nursery rooms. You can help by adding your spare change to the water jugs at the entrance to the CLC and the sanctuary on November 5, 12, and 19. Every little bit will make a difference and be a sign of hope for these brothers and sisters in Christ. Kindergarten Faith Milestone Kindergartners will receive Spark Story Bibles at the worship service in the CLC on Sunday, November 12. Parents, please come to the lounge at 10:15 a.m. to pick up a storybook for your child before the worship service. During the service, the children will meet Noah (yes, the Noah who built the ark) and participate in a fun storytelling activity. Watch your mail for invitations. Thanksgiving Week Schedule We will not have Wednesday School on November 22, but we will have Sunday School the Sunday after Thanksgiving, November 26. If you have guests in town, please bring them with you to worship and Sunday School. All are welcome! The 2 nd Grade Faith Milestone Worship Celebration Did you know that the earliest Christians used symbols to proclaim their faith and tell the good news of Jesus Christ to people who could not read? In celebration of the rich history of symbols in the Christian church, second graders have made faith tiles for their milestone. The centerpiece of each tile is the child s unique symbol, a reminder of God s love. You are invited to celebrate the completion of the second grade faith milestone at the Wednesday worship service in the CLC on November 15. Tiles will be displayed on a table in the back of the CLC for the congregation to view and appreciate. 2 nd Grade Faith Tiles Thank you to the children & their families who joined us for the 2nd Grade Faith Tiles activity! The tiles all looked beautiful and we had a blast making them! 8

10 65 & Older Turkey Dinner Friends in Faith welcomes all congregation members who are 65 and older to join us for a wonderful meal on Sunday, November 5, at noon in the CLC. The meal is free and there will be gluten free options available. We would love to say thank you for everything you do in the community, in the congregation, and for the youth! This is one of our favorite meals where multiple generations get to sit down, share a meal together, and share their stories with one another! Please consider joining us for a Thanksgiving style meal and wonderful conversation. SUNDAY MORNING LIVE All 7-12 th grade youth are invited to gather in the Large Youth Room every Sunday morning from 9:35-10:20 a.m.! We will talk about faith and life, do projects, play games, and much more. We hope to see you there! Confirmation on FiF Street (7 th -10 th Graders AND families) 7 th -9 th Grade Confirmation Parents: Remember that Wednesday, November 1, is a parent and youth confirmation night! We will have a speaker joining us for the night. Each youth must bring at least one parent or guardian with them. Confirmation begins at 6:30 p.m. with worship in the CLC. 7 th Grade Acolytes and 8 th Grade Host Families As part of confirmation, we ask that each 7 th grader acolyte 5 times throughout the year in the Sanctuary, and that 8 th graders and their families host in the CLC 5 times throughout the year. Please go to this link to sign up if you have not already done so: Parent Pizza Servers Friendly reminder! We ask that parents of 7 th -9 th graders sign up once throughout the school year to serve pizza on a Wednesday night. Please go to this link to sign up: 78 th on FiF Street (7 th -8 th graders AND families) There is still time to sign up for the Middle School Synod Gathering! The gathering will be held at Arrowwood Resort in Alexandria, MN, on November This is a great opportunity to worship with other youth from Minnesota and North Dakota. There will be guest speakers, live music, dances, a waterpark, and more! This year s theme is Reformation Remix, so we will be talking about what reformation looks like today! There is still room on the trip! FRIENDS IN FAITH FiF Street High (9 th -12 th graders and families) 65 & Older Turkey Dinner Sunday, November 5 Youth and parents, please sign up to be part of this wonderful intergenerational event. How often do you sit and visit with someone of another generation, particularly those from our congregation? For some of you, it may not be very often. We invite you to be part of this special event! Set-up will begin as soon as the 10:30 a.m. worship is done in the CLC. Between the grilling of the turkeys in the morning and serving the meal by noon, this meal has become a highlight for all generations. Each person will be assigned a food item to bring. We ll serve, sit at tables and visit, clean-up and be done between 2-2:30 p.m. Sign up with Ashley or Kathy as soon as you can. SENIOR HIGH SMALL GROUPS Senior High Small Groups have started! Friends are such an important part of life. Being part of a supportive network of people is essential to dealing with all the situations we face in life. These groups meet two Wednesdays a month from October through April, and the other Wednesday nights are malt nights or large group activities. The groups discuss relevant topics, study scripture, have fun together, eat great food, do service projects and more. They become another supportive group in your network of relationships. This year, we re changing things up: the people in your small group will change each week! If you are interested in being a part of small groups, contact Ashley or Kathy Houston Youth Gathering There is still room for your youth to sign up for this trip! Gatherings happen once every three years. This is a trip that your youth will remember forever. The Gathering theme, This Changes Everything, will help us understand how God is at work through all of us in our day-today lives. Friends in Faith will be traveling to Houston June 21-July 3, No one should decide to not participate because of money. Each youth can earn most or all of their trip cost through fundraising. If you have special needs, talk to Kathy or Ashley. Your information will be respected and kept confidential. 9

11 FRIENDS IN FAITH FiF Street Happenings WEDNESDAY, nov. 1 - Wednesday Dinner at 5:15 p.m. in the CLC; 7 th -9 th Grade Confirmation Youth & Parents at 6:30 p.m. in the CLC; Sr. High Malts & FiF Inc. at 8:15 p.m. in the Large Youth Room SUNDAY, nov. 5 - Sunday Morning Live (7-12 th graders) at 9:35 a.m. in the Large Youth Room; 65 & Older Turkey Dinner at noon in the CLC Wednesday, nov. 8 - Wednesday Dinner at 5:15 p.m. in the CLC; Worship at 6:30 p.m. in the CLC; 7-9 th Grade Confirmation at 6:30 p.m. in the CLC; Sr. High Bible Study at 8:15 p.m. in the Large Youth Room Sunday, nov Sunday Morning Live (7-12 th graders) at 9:35 a.m. in the Large Youth Room Wednesday, nov Wednesday Dinner at 5:15 p.m. in the CLC; Jr. High Gathering Meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Large Youth Room; Worship at 6:30 p.m. in the CLC; 7-9 th Grade Confirmation at 6:30 p.m. in the CLC; Sr. High Glow-in-the-Dark Bowling & Devos at 8:15 p.m. in the Large Youth Room Sunday, Nov Sunday Morning Live (7-12 th graders) at 9:35 a.m. in the Large Youth Room November Middle School Synod Gathering in Alexandria at Arrowwood Resort Wednesday, nov Worship at 6:30 p.m. in the CLC; No youth activities due to Thanksgiving break Sunday, nov Sunday Morning Live (7-12 th graders) at 9:35 a.m. in the Large Youth Room Wednesday, nov Wednesday Dinner at 5:15 p.m. in the CLC; Worship at 6:30 p.m. in the CLC; 7-9 th Grade Confirmation at 6:30 p.m. in the CLC; Houston Meeting at 8:15 p.m. in the CLC Stay up to Date with us on social media: Facebook: Friends in Faith Instagram: FiFStreet CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2017 CONFIRMATION CLASS! photo here Hannah Shirley Babbitt Gabrielle Louise Bahe Landon Robert Douglas Berry Zachary Reid Brusseau Jordan Renee Carlson Hunter Andrew Covey Owen Michael Cullen Maccoy Jeremy Gregoire Jonah Samuel William Hanson Juliana Marie Hanson Hailey Renee Hedlund Laura Elizabeth Jensen Holden David Klinnert Brookston Lee Knudson Paige Elizabeth McArthur Lauren Mary Melton Cade Johnson Moilanen Caleb Benjamin Norris 10 Taylor Kristen Melton Chase Christian Olson Matthew Wayne Pollock Sarah Elizabeth Ramstad Sydney Jane Reierson Destiny Carol Amelia Rock Josefine Claire Rock Angus McCae Wegge Schlick Jacob Allen Schroeder Kate Elizabeth Stafford Riley Ann Stallman Skylar Steven Timmer Ashanti Selena Valdez Zachary Michael Wolf Annika Lynne Yoney Nathan Riley Zurn

12 FAIR TRADE AT TRINITY WHAT S GOING ON WITH FAIR TRADE? We Lutherans take our coffee very seriously, and Trinity Lutheran is about to up the game! We are in the process of switching providers of coffee for Sunday Morning Fellowship from Equal Exchange Fair Trade to Farmers Market. This follows a shift made by Lutheran World Relief in August 2017, when they severed their longstanding relationship with Equal Exchange and joined forces with Farmers Market. LWR Farmers Market Coffee is a new line of coffee sourced directly from farmers participating in Lutheran World Relief projects. Every cup helps transform poor communities that depend on their coffee crop to feed their families. Farmers who are participating in this program are given a more stable, predictable, and higher price upfront for their beans. With Farmers Market Coffee, farmers aren t just suppliers of coffee beans, they are partners in the coffee business. In this partnership (not trade), LWR connects farmers directly with THRIVE Farmers Coffee, who roast and package the beans and send this delicious coffee to us. And, 80 cents of every pound we purchase goes directly back into LWR projects to benefit even more people around the world. Trinity Lutheran will begin serving Farmers Market coffee by January 1, At that time, the Equal Exchange Fair Trade coffees and other products will no longer be available at the church. That means no more cart between services on Sundays where you could pick up a supply of coffee and some chocolate! However, there will be a small supply of the new Farmers Market coffee available for sale in the church office starting in January. You may also order your own through the LWR website at Ordering details will also be available at that time. So, what about all the products currently on the Fair Trade cart at Trinity? WE RE HAVING A CLEARANCE SALE! Beginning Sunday, October 29, all the existing Equal Exchange Fair Trade coffees, teas, chocolate bars and nuts will be sold at discounted prices. The sale will continue through December, or until everything is gone. We d like to thank all who ve supported the Fair Trade ministry at Trinity over the last several years, whether you ve helped promote it or supported it by purchasing. This has been an extremely strong program since Trinity began its coffee relationship with LWR. In fact, Trinity is one of the leaders in the entire ELCA for the quantity of coffee purchased and consumed! No surprise we re Lutherans after all. And doesn t that cup of coffee taste better when we know we re helping someone toward a more sustainable future? Watch for more opportunities to learn about Farmers Market and how we can indeed be partners with LWR and the coffee producers. 11

13 TRINITY WOMEN Happy busy fall season! This is definitely the time of year when we are all pulled in many directions by various fundraising options, opportunities to be active in the community and many demands on our time. But, it is also a time when we can reflect on our fortunate lives and the fact that all of us have been blessed with the capacity to love, share that love and be loved. The annual Bake Sale/Bazaar is November You have the fun of sharing your good recipes with the public and also contributing to this great fundraiser for the Trinity women! We do a lot of good with the gifts we share here at home and throughout the world. You have the opportunity to sign up for the bake sale to work and/or bake goods to sell. Char Skaff will be letting you know what your work schedule is for the sale. Also, don t forget the chance to prepare and package lefse on Thursday, November 9, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and Friday, November 10, from 9-11 a.m. We could use some men for rolling the lefse. Lefse with Lucia Schroeder put it on your calendar! In our fall Lutheran World shipment we sent: 29 school kits 11 personal health kits 21 baby kits and several quilts But, our cupboards are Mother Hubbard bare! We need to restock. Listed below are the articles needed for our next shipment: Sturdy combs Dark colored bath towels Nail clippers Individually wrapped bath-size bar soap 24-month short-sleeved t-shirts Baby nightgowns, no feet 24-month sweatshirts On Monday, December 4, at 6 p.m. we ll have our annual Christmas potluck. Bring your families, your friends and a dish to share! The Moorhead High Carolers will be serenading us. If rides are needed, please call the church office at , and we ll make sure you get here for this fun time. Now thank we all our God, with hearts and hands and voices. Who wondrous things has done, in whom this world rejoices. Thank you to all for your kindnesses, talents and voices. We need each other. Go forth with praise. MARY JOHNSON, TLCW PRESIDENT Thank you to Leanne and Lucia for getting this all set to go. And thank you for your contributions! TRINITY PRESCHOOL TRINITY PRESCHOOL IS HIRING! Although we have very stable and loving staff, we find ourselves in a position of needing two energetic, loving, well-qualified teaching staff to work with our toddler group and our after-school age children. We are hiring a lead toddler teacher. Qualifications include post-secondary education and experience in early childhood settings. Duties include the care and education of children 16 months-3-years-old. This is a co-teaching position. We provide competitive wages, training, benefits, and a positive and friendly work climate. We are also hiring an afterschool/float teaching position. Qualifications include some post-secondary education or child development credential. Experience in early childhood settings is preferred. This position works with all the age groups in our program, and ends the day with kindergarten-4 th grade children. This is also a co-teaching position and full-time benefits are included. Do you know of anyone qualified and interested in being a part of this great program? We would love to have the opportunity to consider them. Have them contact the preschool via at kay@trinitymhd.org or call us at Prayers for an abundance of qualified teachers would be appreciated! Kay Heidrich, PRESCHOOL Director kay@trinitymhd.org

14 GLOBAL MISSION JOHANNESBURG - NOVEMEBR 2017 DEAR FRIENDS, From October 20-22, I attended the commemoration events of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in Durban, hosted by Bishop PP Buthelezi and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa - South Eastern Diocese (ELCSA SED). An ecumenical service was held at the Emmanuel Catholic Cathedral in downtown Durban. Wilfrid Fox Napier OFM Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church and archbishop of Durban welcomed Catholics, Lutherans and other denominations to the joint event. Bishop Munib Younan (Bishop of The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land and former President of the Lutheran World Federation), invited as special guest speaker, emphasized how Lutherans and Catholics have come closer together through the signing of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification in 1999, the 2017 document From Conflict to Communion, and the historic joint service in Lund, Sweden, in October 2016 with Pope Francis. On Saturday, October 21, a cultural program was organized with participation by children, youth and adult choirs from across the diocese, traditional dance groups, and a drama about the Reformation. Bishop Younan delivered the Luther Lecture with the theme Working towards Peace and Reconciliation amongst the people of the Middle East with particular reference to the conflict in Palestine and Israel. On Sunday, October 22, an open-air worship service with Holy Communion was held at the Kings Park stadium. Bishop Buthelezi delivered the sermon based on John 8:31-36, emphasising that Jesus Christ is the Truth who alone can set us free. Because of Christ, change can happen for all people in bondage including the people of occupied Palestine, as happened with the ending of apartheid in South Africa. Bishop Younan also spoke on the LWF theme Liberated by God s Grace and the three sub-themes Salvation not for sale!, Humans not for sale!, and Creation not for sale!. It was a great privilege to be invited to attend these events as a regional representative of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Global Mission. Thank you for your prayers and support. Yours faithfully, Rev. Dr. Philip Knutson, ELCA Global Mission Regional Representative, Southern Africa 13

15 Lost & found recovery center Research also shows that those who practice gratitude tend to be more creative, bounce back more quickly from adversity, have a stronger immune system, and have stronger social relationships than those who don t practice gratitude. To say we feel grateful is not to say that everything in our lives is necessarily great. It just means we are aware of our blessings. In this season of Thanksgiving, our thoughts turn to thankfulness and gratitude for the blessings in our lives. Expressing gratitude not only helps us to appreciate what we ve received in life, but it also helps us to feel that we ve given something back to those who have helped us. Gratitude means thankfulness, counting our blessings, noticing simple pleasures, and acknowledging everything that we receive. It means learning to live our lives as if everything were a miracle, and being aware on a continuous basis of how much we ve been given. Gratitude shifts our focus from what our lives lack to the abundance that is already present. In addition, behavioral and psychological research has shown the surprising life improvements that can stem from the practice of gratitude. Giving thanks makes people happier and more resilient, it strengthens relationships, it improves health, and it reduces stress. Once we become oriented toward looking for things to be grateful for, we will find that we begin to appreciate simple pleasures and things that we previously took for granted. Gratitude should not be just a reaction to getting what we want, but an all-the-time gratitude, the kind where we notice the little things and constantly look for the good even in unpleasant situations. Every day at Lost and Found, we see people who have a desire to break free from their addictions. They are struggling with feelings of guilt, shame, and a sense of unacceptance perhaps feeling like an outcast. We also see loved ones who have persevered through many battles of loving someone who s addicted. They are struggling with their own sense of guilt and shame and are at a loss of what to do and where to go. We are so grateful to Trinity and to our donors for their support in allowing us to be of service to those who are struggling with addiction. Your support enables us to make a significant change in someone s life a lifelong change that can affect generations to come. PATHWAYS JOB OPENINGS Pathways Outdoor Ministries is looking for office staff for Moorhead office! Employment opportunities are now available to serve on the year-round ministry team of Pathways Lutheran Outdoor Ministries in the new administrative office at 213 S 8 th Street in Moorhead (the little yellow building in front of Trinity!). Pathways is looking for both a part-time administrative assistant and a part-time bookkeeper. Pathways operates two camps: Camp Emmaus near Menahga, MN, and Camp MinneWaKan near Bemidji, MN. This dynamic outdoor ministry serves children, youth, adults and families from all over northwestern Minnesota by providing exciting Christ-centered summer camp, day camp, travel, high adventure, and retreat opportunities. Pathways is moving its main office to Moorhead in order to better serve area congregations year-round. For more information and/or to expresses interest and send a résumé, please contact Pathways Executive Director Steve Peterson at pathways@pathwaysbiblecamps.com. 14

16 Ministry Staff PASTORS Simon Fensom Matt Peterson Kristina Waters PROGRAM MINISTRIES Andrew Steinberg Sanctuary Worship Director & Organist Rachel Horan CLC Worship Director Sandra Anderson Director of Children s Ministry Kathy Hunstad, Deacon (kathy@trinitymhd.org) Director of Youth Ministry Ashley Strelau (ashley@trinitymhd.org) Associate Director of Youth Ministry Kay Heidrich (kay@trinitymhd.org) Director of Trinity Preschool Jann Johnson (jann@lostandfoundrecoverycenter.org) Interim Director of Lost & Found CHURCH COUNCIL Alison Andreasen, President Matt Leiseth, Vice President Craig Hagen, Secretary Carmen Walter, Treasurer Kathy Benson, John Juhl, Rebecca Darling, Mark Jensen Jenny Stenehjem, Charlie Chinquist SUPPORT STAFF Charlotte Tallakson (char@trinitymhd.org) Receptionist Jan McCormick (jan@trinitymhd.org) Business Administrator Sydni Kreps (sydni@trinitymhd.org) Communications Coordinator Ryan George (ryan@trinitymhd.org) Bookkeeper Trinity Lutheran Church Street South, Moorhead, MN ; Fax: Emergency Number: (after hours) Web site: Radio broadcast: 9 am: KVOX (740 AM) Telecast (Ch 69): Mhd Wed., 7 p.m. (Ch 99): Fgo Sun., 11:30 a.m. CUSTODIANS Dale Myrum Steve Twito TECHNICAL ASSISTANTS Deb Flaskerud Lyle Nelson Sound Board Assistants, Sanctuary Steve Sebelius Projection Assistant, CLC CHOIR DIRECTORS Michael Culloton Cathedral Choir Angie Schulz Minims Sue Dale Joyful Noise Kathy Lindquist Celebration Singers Sharon Christensen-Clark Trinity Chimes Andrew Steinberg Trinity Handbells Nat Dickey Trinity Brass MISSION Philip and Lou Marie Knutson Missionaries in South Africa Colin and Jeni Grangaard YAGM Missionaries in Jerusalem Lost and Found Recovery Center Street South, Moorhead, MN ; Fax: