July 2018 TRINITY CONNECTIONS

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1 July 2018 TRINITY CONNECTIONS LET THE LITTLE CHILDREN COME At this year s NW Wisconsin Synod Assembly, the theme was Growing Young. The facts are clear churches are losing both members and vitality as increasing numbers of young people disengage. One of the four major emphases from last summer s CAT survey was that Trinity would begin to develop programming and more opportunities for families with youth. So, the first step was started last fall when children s education was moved from Sunday morning to Wednesday nights the same time as confirmation class. Wondering what would happen, we saw an increase in weekly attendance twice as large we as saw on Sunday. BOLT Building Our Love and Talents is a Christ centered program which helps the children become more than spectators in faith, they become partners in faith with trusted and loving adults. Starting in September there will be more opportunity to welcome children into worship through the development of a Pray-Ground. All children 5 and under are welcome to participate. Complete with itty-bitty chairs and tables, coloring supplies, Legos and soft toys the spot will be perfect for our smallest parishioners and their parents who can enjoy worship and see their children become participants in the service in a special way. Nurseries were nice in their day, but a new day is dawning and if we desire to keep our children engaged and growing in faith I believe this is the right way to go. If you have a child 5 and under we need your voice, and participation to make our Pray-Ground the first of its kind among church in our area. If you are interested in sharing your thoughts and/or participating in this new ministry contact Kelly Browning, Tim or Jen Haugen and Pastor Ralph. Whoever accepts a child in my name accepts me. Matthew 18:5 See YOU in worship and summer is a great time to invite a guest. Pastor Ralph

So, if the purpose is growing people in their discipleship, what is the process that takes action and makes this connection? A simple three step process outlined in Simple Church, shares: 1.

2 President s Corner-Rose Kuebker Greetings, The Council continues on its journey reading and discussing the book, Simple Church. Chapter 2 focuses on a simple process that moves people to spiritual maturity. One church notes it is making its purpose and process as one, or in other words its purpose is the process. So, if the purpose is growing people in their discipleship, what is the process that takes action and makes this connection? A simple three step process outlined in Simple Church, shares: 1. Come to worship to develop your relationship with God and hear his Word 2. Be part of a small group, to show you care about others 3. Serve in a ministry to help others (community) The goal of action and connection is to become relationally connected. Building our relationship with God, with each other, and with the community, will support the purpose of the Church. Questions you might want to ponder: 1. Describe the concept of process and why it is important for our church? 2. If our ministry process was connected, how would it help us eliminate some things at Trinity? If you would like to join in these discussions and share your thoughts, please come to the council meetings. Our next meeting is July 9 th, 2018 at 7:00pm. On a final note, our Transition Team (small group) is making progress. Some of the items currently being reviewed are: 1. Our history to establish or affirm core values 2. Developing or affirming our Mission Statement 3. Affirming a Vision Statement (Big Picture) 4. Staff needs and updating job descriptions 5. Policies and procedures We do need a few more members to join our Transition Team and to inform our work. Please let Pastor Ralph or I know, if you are interested. As we finalize this work, we will need to prepare a transition report, for the council, Congregation, and the Synod. This in turn will inform the call committee to prepare a Ministry Site Profile, in preparation, to call a new Pastor. Blessings, Rose Coffee Chat with the Treasurer -Rachel McHenry As May 31, 2018 Financial Overview Year-to-date: Income Total $88,170 Expense Total $ Total Income $23,610 All bills were paid for the month of May. Remember now that summer is here that your offering is most crucial during these summer months. Thank you, Rachel McHenry, Treasurer FOOD PANTRY UPDATE Next Food Shelf Sunday is: July 8 Thank you for helping others in need! Summer is a crucial time! WELCA Kathy Jensen, Chair The Salad bar luncheon was a huge success, thanks to all who made delicious salads and worked the event. Thanks to Thrivent for giving us seed money for the luncheon. Mark your calendars. The next event is the Pie and Ice Cream Social on Wednesday, July 25th from 4:30 till 6:30. We will be making some of your favorite pies and topping the Pie with ice cream. Yum. One pair of hands, Kathy

Greetings BOLT families- Education-Kelly Browning, Chair VBS 2018 is coming and we will be strapping on our life jackets for a riproaring river ride with Splash Canyon: God s Promise on Life s Wild

VBS will begin promptly at 6:00 pm with it finishing up at 7:45 pm. Below is the link to register your child(ren).

Link for VBS registration: https://vbsmate.com/events/trinitylutheranham mondwi/15769 Please join us! Saturday, July 14th We invite our Trinity family in celebrating our 60 th wedding anniversary!

Roger & June Lindquist Bolt will be collecting donations for Operation Christmas Child all year long. The donation bin is located in the Education Wing if you would like to contribute.

We packed 66 boxes this past year and we are aiming for 100 this coming year, so if you have items to donate, please bring them in anytime of the year.

3 Greetings BOLT families- Education-Kelly Browning, Chair VBS 2018 is coming and we will be strapping on our life jackets for a riproaring river ride with Splash Canyon: God s Promise on Life s Wild Ride. Please join us July 30 through August 2 for our annual summer VBS. Dinner will begin at 5:30 pm each night and is for the entire family. VBS will begin promptly at 6:00 pm with it finishing up at 7:45 pm. Below is the link to register your child(ren). I am still looking for volunteers, please contact me if you are interested in helping with serving a meal or leading a group. I will also be asking for donations of food for meals in the coming weeks. Link for VBS registration: mondwi/15769 Please join us! Saturday, July 14th We invite our Trinity family in celebrating our 60 th wedding anniversary! A Chicken Dinner 11am- 2pm lunch and at 3-6pm. The party will be at the Farm Party Shed, 1652 US Highway 12, Hammond, WI. Hope to see you! Roger & June Lindquist Bolt will be collecting donations for Operation Christmas Child all year long. The donation bin is located in the Education Wing if you would like to contribute. Thank you to those who have brought in donations this past month. We packed 66 boxes this past year and we are aiming for 100 this coming year, so if you have items to donate, please bring them in anytime of the year. Each month I will share some items to consider donating, so this month, let s think about TOYS! Friendly reminder that we have a closed Facebook group where I post what is happening with BOLT on a regular basis. You can request to join here: Trinity Lutheran BOLT Your Co-worker in Christ, Kelly, BOLT Team Leader The Trinity Youth will start collecting garage sale items for the annual garage sale starting the week of July 30 th! QUILTER S CORNER Quilt tying will be Thursday s July 12th and 26th at 9 am in the Quilting room. Anyone can tie knots! Come join us in knot tying and fellowship. The quilters are so thankful for all the sheets, thread and fabric that you have donated. We are working on Lutheran World Relief quilts, that will be displayed during November. Property & Grounds- Laurie Posey, Chair I d like to send a big note of THANKS to all of the helping hands keeping our Church looking great. Whether it s mowing lawn, tending the flower gardens, up-keep and cleaning of the church, etc. Your efforts do not go un-noticed. Thanks for all you do! Have a great summer! ~Laurie Trinity s office hours will be 9 am - 2 pm, Monday Friday.

Meet our New Bishop Elect Dear Friends of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin, I am humbled and grateful for this opportunity to serve as your Bishop.

Cloud and Pelican Rapids, MN. I am excited and hopeful about the future!

4 Meet our New Bishop Elect Dear Friends of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin, I am humbled and grateful for this opportunity to serve as your Bishop. For the last 4-5 years, I ve served as the Director of Evangelical Mission/Assistant to Bishop Rick Hoyme and before that for 28 years, I was a parish pastor in Windom, Slayton, St. Cloud and Pelican Rapids, MN. I am excited and hopeful about the future! The Holy Spirit is moving and working among us in new and exciting ways challenging us to go deeper in our faith and moving us outside our comfort zone. Paying attention to where the Spirit is calling us and learning to GO and DO in Jesus name is an important part of my work as Bishop. I encourage the people of our synod to not only GO to Church but to BE the church in the world. A little bit about me: My husband Randy and I both graduated from Luther Seminary in He is the pastor of Christ Lutheran in Menomonie. We have three adult children. Andrew (30) is married to Kristina. They live in Appleton and are expecting our first grandchild July 18. Matthew (27) is engaged to Emily Ewen. They are getting married August 18. Anna (24) graduated from St. Kates and works in Occupational Therapy. I love to garden and help things grow. I enjoy cooking and entertaining family and friends. When I have time, I like to bike, canoe or kayak. I look forward to getting to know you and your congregations. You are all invited to attend the official installation of the Bishop worship service on August 25, :00 p.m. at Bethel Highlands, Hudson, WI. I hope to see you there. Please share with others and let them know it is available! Take what you need, give what you can. Bishop-elect Laurie Skow-Anderson LITTLE FREE PANTRY The free Little Pantry is open for all! The posted hours for summer are Monday thru Friday, 9am- 2pm. Wednesday nights from 5-7pm and Sunday mornings 8:30-12(noon). The pantry is located inside Trinity by the Fireside room. Youth Christine Pommerening, Chair 19 youth and 3 adults went to Houston Texas for the National Youth Gathering, June 25th-July 2nd. I am excited to hear their stories when they come back! We are working on a youth-led board. I am excited to work with these young people and share and grow their faith. Our next meeting will be Sunday, July 22nd after worship! My is: tlchyouth@gmail.com. Excited to serve, Christine Evangelism-Betty Johnson, Chair Plans are starting to fall in place for our Funfest for Hammond Heartland Days on Sunday, August 12 th. We are looking for volunteers to sit in the Dunk Tank from 2:00 till 3:30. Also asking for liter bottles of pop for a ring toss game. Looking for any help we can get to help this run and be successful as last year. If you are interested in marching with the kazoo band in the parade please talk with Sue Frank. There will be sign-up sheets on the counter in the weeks ahead. Any support will be greatly appreciated. Any questions, please ask Kathy Jensen, Nancy Newman, Becky Fowler, Sue Frank or Betty Johnson. Let s make this even more successful than last year! Thanks for your help and prayers for this event. GODS WORK OUR HANDS, Betty Tuesday Community Dinner There will not be a July Tuesday Community Supper. Next Community Supper will be August 7th from 5-6:30pm with Gethsemane Lutheran Church serving the meal.

5 July Ministry Calendar Please consider how you might do God s work with your hands. Sign up at the Communication Corner or call the church office. Instruction available for every role & a reminder call or a few days before your commitment. JULY 1 JULY 8 JULY 15 JULY 22 JULY 29 GREETERS Kathy Jensen Jim & Karen Riley Kerry & Marti Peterson Dorothy Hage Kathy Gustafson Ushers (2) Arnie & Bev Jacobson Roger & June Lindquist Betty Johnson Nancy Newman Roger & June Lindquist Reader Kathy Jensen Marti Peterson Ron Pratt Marti Peterson Acolyte Brock Thorsen Power Point Sound Tech Communion Helpers + + Deb Henry, Marti Peterson Communion Set Up Worship Team + + Worship Team Bread Baker Bulletin Sponsors BOLT Sponsors To Sponsor a Bulletin, please see Betty Johnson Servers Team I-Sue Bork Team K-Bruce & Jo Moll Team L-Ron & Glenda Pratt Team A-Jill Foster Team B-Todd & Deb Henry Exterior Property Team Team #8- Bruce & Jo Moll Team #9- Daryl & Sue Frank Team #9- Daryl & Sue Frank Team #10-Drew Johnson & Boy Scout Troop Team #10-Drew Johnson & Boy Scout Troop July Bulletin Sponsors See Betty Johnson to sponsor a bulletin! Just $8.00! July 1st BULLETIN: WELCA July 8th BULLETIN: Happy birthday Harold from Bruce, Jo, Carl, Lauren, Livvie & Claire July 15th BULLETIN: Happy birthday Livvie from Mom, Dad, Carl, Lauren & Claire July 22nd BULLETIN: Roger & June Lindquist in celebration of their 60 th Wedding Anniversary. July 29th BULLETIN: None Do you have a special day, memory or event coming up? Sign up to be a bulletin sponsor in 2018! Call ( ), (alsgal63@baldwin-telecom.net) or talk to Betty Johnson at church! Only $8.00!!

July Calendar of Events Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Trinity Houston Trinity youth 9:00am Worship Youth return Happy 4 th of July!

6 July Calendar of Events Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Trinity Houston Trinity youth 9:00am Worship Youth return Happy 4 th of July! 1:00pm Yadda, Yadda clean cans at w/holy Communion from National (Church Office Prayer Tractor Pull closed) 10:15am Coffee Youth Gathering American Heritage, Apt am-Roger & 9:00am Quilting June Lindquist s 9:00am Worship 10am-1pm Everly Jaymes 7:00pm Church 9:00am 1:00pm Yadda, Yadda 60 WEAC meeting Wedding Pomroy Baptism Council Jumpstart! Prayer Anniversary 6:00pm American Heritage, Party at the Food Shelf Sunday Transition Team Apt. 111 Farm party 10:15am Coffee shed :00am Worship 8:15am-2:00pm w/holy communion WELCA Summer 10am Heritage Newsletter items Retreat, Bethany Special Music: Croix 5:00pm Grace due! Lutheran, Star Prairie Chordsman Place Meal, 1:00pm Yadda, Yadda Barbershop Quartet New Richmond Prayer 10:15am Coffee American Heritage, Apt :00am Quilting 9:00am Worship 9:00am 1:00pm Yadda, Yadda 2-4pm Feed My 10:15am Coffee Jumpstart! Prayer Starving 4:30-6:30pm American Heritage, Children, 10:30am Youth WELCA Ice Cream Apt. 111 Eagan, MN Meeting Social am Newsletter 5:30pm 9:00am Worship Folding & Treats Dinner 10:15am Coffee 5:30pm Dinner 6:00pm 6:00pm Vacation Bible Vacation Bible School School He has made everything BEAUTIFUL in its time. ~ Ecclesiastes 3:11

Mission & Human Needs-Marti Peterson, Chair WELCA Summer Retreat July 19, 2018-Bethany, Star Prairie Tuesday, July 17 th, Trinity will be serving an Evening Meal at Grace Place in New Richmond.

Thank you to all who contributed to Grace Place, Roberts/Baldwin Food Shelf, Trinity s Little Pantry and St. Croix Central Backpack program. Next Food Shelf Sunday is July 8 th.

Please bring in new socks and underwear for Elementary and Middle School students from Saint Croix Central School District. The collection bucket is located in the Hall!

7 Mission & Human Needs-Marti Peterson, Chair WELCA Summer Retreat July 19, 2018-Bethany, Star Prairie Tuesday, July 17 th, Trinity will be serving an Evening Meal at Grace Place in New Richmond. We will be serving some type of pasta bake with salad. We will plan on being at Grace Place at 5:00 pm to set-up. Please look for sign-up sheets. Thank you to all who contributed to Grace Place, Roberts/Baldwin Food Shelf, Trinity s Little Pantry and St. Croix Central Backpack program. Next Food Shelf Sunday is July 8 th. For the rest of the summer, we are collecting Socks & Underwear for our Feets & Seats campaign! Please bring in new socks and underwear for Elementary and Middle School students from Saint Croix Central School District. The collection bucket is located in the Hall! See Glenda Pratt for more details! During the months of July and August we will also be collecting school supplies for SCC Elementary School. Please bring these donations to Trinity prior to August 22nd. We are heading to Feed My Starving Children on Saturday, July 28 th! Our time slot is 2:00-4:00 pm. We currently have 22 of our 25 spots open! Please see Sarah Pommerening or Marti Peterson if you are interested in attending! Carpooling will be available to those who would like to go but not drive! Thank you for all you do! Marti Musical Worship Highlights this Summer: July 15 th Saint Croix Chordsmen Barbershop Chorus July 29 th - Steve, lee and friends lead a Bluegrass Worship Service

8 Those present: Pastor Ralph, Rose Kuebker, Deb Henry, Sarah Pommerening, Kathy Jensen, Sue Frank, Betty Johnson, Rachel McHenry, Christine Pommerening, Ron Pratt and Laurie Posey came at 8:00 pm. Guests: Lois Worbes & Daryl Frank. Absent- Kelly Browning and Marti Peterson. President Rose Kuebker called the meeting to order at 7:03pm. Kathy Jensen share from the books of Proverbs, Isaiah and Matthew. Welcome to guests: Lois Worbes and Daryl Frank Trinity Council Minutes for June 11, 2018 Secretary s Report- Rachel updated the Mother s Day offering totals for the report. Action: Sue moved to accept the Secretary s report with the updated total. Ron seconded. Motion Carried Treasurer's Report- Rachel reported that $ was the total for the Mother s Day offering sent to the Synod. Rachel will be calling the Synod office to get some answers about some Shepherd s staff questions she has. She would also like to add a line in our budget next year for the garden/landscaping. Sue added she would like to get a trailer full of mulch and replace 3 bushes and will be looking into funds for that. A list of hours worked at the chicken feed was submitted for the youth in 2017 and needs to be paid out. It totaled $347, which will be coming out under the chicken feed fund. Mileage reimbursements for the Pastor will be corrected to the correct amount, will need to up it by one penny. Action: Deb moved to accept treasurer's report. Sue Frank seconded. Added discussion. Sue moved to amend the motion with mileage and chicken feed discussion. Deb seconded. Carried The secretary s salary was discussed. Action: Deb moved to discuss a budget for the secretary in the open discussion part of the meeting. Ron seconded. Carried. Pastor s Report- Pastor Ralph said thank you for the vote to continue on as Trinity's Pastor for the next year. One on one honest conversations will take place with each council member. Meetings after meetings will not take place, everything needs to be out in the open. We have 11 months to get things in order. Hard work is coming, as pastors are hard to come by. We may need to look at combining pastors, sharing ministries. Trinity has the opportunity to become the faith center of Hammond. Prayer groups need to happen. How do we deal with controversy in the social media age? How do we form our kids in ministry in this age? How do we get our lay people to evangelize? When was the last time we invited someone to worship? It is everyone s job. Pastor s office hours will now be; all day on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays 9am-5pm or 6, depending on what is going on. Afternoons on Mondays when there is council. Fridays and Saturdays as needed. Old Business Update on Memorial Fund-Most everyone was contacted and it will be wrapped up by the end of June. Worship band guidelines/expectations contract- Sue reported that it is pretty much done. She will be going over it with her team and then bring it to Pastor to review, and then the band. Transition team - Bev J, Dan D, Christine P and Rose are looking at the constitution making minimal changes. Talked about our mission and vision statements. The Cat survey that was done in the fall provides much information for this team. They will be using the stewardship team to access financials, looking at properties, team jobs, and congregation history. Bev J has been digging into the history. Trend Analysis will need to be done as far as what will happen in the next 10 years as far as giving. Mutual ministry team- Jo Moll, Sue Bork, Mike Sittlow so far. Request by Hammond Library- to do home school program at Trinity. She has 45 registered children starting in September for a homeschool program to hold classes from 9-2 reserving the church from 8:00-2:30. Helpers will be brought in to help out. Socialization is one of the key focuses in holding this program. We will review all the info we have, have Michelle come, and present her proposal on July 9th, the next council meeting. Kathy Jensen will talk to Michelle about that. She has researched every building in the area and Trinity is the one that will work. Ron moved to table this and invite Michelle to the next meeting and talk about her proposal. Deb Seconded. Carried. Electronic door opener- It would cost around $7298. With labor and materials will be about $10,000. Upgrades are not available with this package. The second deal was $ With labor and materials will run about $12,000 with added materials and labor, add upgrade options like telephone, secretary can buzz people in. Both doors could open at the same time. Electric locks, keys or card reader swipes. Has timers and sensors. Doors stay locked. His resource vender would be willing to come to a meeting to answer questions. (next month) An Electrician would have to come to hook it up. Two buttons on inside will be wireless, outside not. Safety button on outside. Will be put in newsletter and bulletins to let congregation know what is happening. < Continued on next page.

Open- Rose handed out job descriptions for each committee to go over and make changes and bring back to next meeting, Pastor Ralph said to refer secretary s salary for the summer to the executive

Sounds like a good idea, maybe get more men involved to help with it. Put it under committee. Sarah will be going to Houston at the end of June.

Need to get up to 200 to get bulk rate. We are at 193. Salad bar luncheon this Thursday from 11-1. They are looking for help.

9 Open- Rose handed out job descriptions for each committee to go over and make changes and bring back to next meeting, Pastor Ralph said to refer secretary s salary for the summer to the executive committee for discussion and bring back report next meeting. Mark Iverson called and asked if they could do the chicken feed on Sept 9th. Bolt Rally Sunday is the same day. Sounds like a good idea, maybe get more men involved to help with it. Put it under committee. Sarah will be going to Houston at the end of June. She would like to have everything done before she leaves. Church services in order and Newsletters done by June 18th folding on the 25th. Minimum number of newsletters are being sent out. Need to get up to 200 to get bulk rate. We are at 193. Salad bar luncheon this Thursday from They are looking for help. Simple Church- Discuss chapter 2- We are a lot like First church, some of Cross church (in the book). We need to get small groups going again with members to join and be active in. Have bibles available or people can bring their own, start groups that people are interested in. Walking, gardening, men s fishing, dinner-each family brings a dish to someone s house, pickleball, kids sports, cribbage, bocce ball, bean bags, singles, families, divorced, prayer, devotionals, youth meet in basement in the summer while 4k is not in session. Maybe put it on the connection cards, groups that the congregation would be interested in. Ponder interests and see what we want to do. Bring 5 group ideas to next meeting to go over. Deb moved to adjourn at 8:50pm. Kathy seconded. Carried. We closed with The Lord s Prayer. Respectfully submitted by, Deb Henry Council Secretary Feed My Starving Children - Eagan Trinity is heading back to Eagan to help at Feed My Starving Children! We have 22 spots available on Saturday, July 28 th from 2:00-4:00 pm Click on the link below to register! Sign-up for Feed My Starving Children Carpooling is available! Have questions, see Marti Peterson or Sarah Pommerening. Sound Person Needed 1-2 Sound Person(s) needed for Sunday Mornings! Youth can earn service credits for helping out! Contact the church office for more information! National Night Out We are looking for volunteers to help at Hammond s local National Night Out, held at the Village Park from 6-8pm on Tuesday, August 7th. Volunteers are needed from 5:30-8:15pm. Please let Deb Henry know if you are interested and available to help! Serving Meals at Grace Place in New Richmond Do you have a heart toward serving others and enjoy cooking? Grace Place in New Richmond is looking for volunteers interested in cooking the noon meal at the shelter. Food would be provided, just looking for the willing hearts to complete the task. Could be as little or as often as you are able to help. Contact Lori at if you are interested in learning more.

10 July 2018 TRINITY CONNECTIONS NEWSLETTER JOIN US SUNDAY MORNINGS FOR WORSHIP AT 9:00 AM COFFEE FELLOWSHIP FOLLOWING WORSHIP TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH 1250 BROADWAY STREET PO BOX 68 HAMMOND WI Non-Profit Organization U. S. POSTAGE PAID Hammond WI RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

August 2018 TRINITY CONNECTIONS. Dear Friends in Christ,

August 2018 TRINITY CONNECTIONS Dear Friends in Christ, THANK YOU! Thank you for your generosity that helps fuel God s mission here at Trinity. We have reached the half-way point in our financial year