PRAYER CELEBRATION SUNDAY 24 HOURS OF. Stewardship October 25 will be a day of celebration & service INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

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1 TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH October 13, 2015 Vol. 49 No. 41 Stewardship 2016 Let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. I John 3:18 This year s theme is based on the book, Love Does, by Bob Goff. During October we will focus on what it means to put our faith into action. Join us as we reflect on what love has done, what love is doing, and what love can do through the works of our church in the coming year. Submit your 2016 pledge online, visit October 25 will be a day of celebration & service Worship CELEBRATION SUNDAY In all services at 8:45 and 11:00 AM, we will consecrate our financial gifts and commitments during worship. Hands-on Mission You are invited to participate in an incredible service project - STOP HUNGER NOW. This is a family-friendly activity where you can help Trinity pack 40,000 meals. Reservations required! Sign up for one of three shifts available: 10:00, 11:00 or 12:00 Noon Churchwide Luncheon We will celebrate what LOVE DOES with a complimentary luncheon catered by Full Moon BBQ. It will be held in the Gym and two seatings are available: 11:00 AM & 12:00 Noon Make a lunch reservation and sign up for a Stop Hunger Now shift at INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Love Does 3 Next Steps 4 Student Ministry 5 Calendar of Events 7 24 HOURS OF PRAYER You are invited to sign up to pray for Trinity and the upcoming year of ministry on Saturday, October 24 the day before Celebration Sunday. IT S SIMPLE: Just choose a 15 minute time slot, then pray. Whether you are sitting at home or on your way to the big game, all you need is a few minutes to lift up our church family. LOVE DOES Sign up available online: Tag your posts #LoveDoesTrinityDoes We invite you to be on the lookout for ways that Love Does. Where do you see God at work in the church? Where do you see Christ-like generosity around you? Tag your posts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with #LoveDoesTrinityDoes as a way of sharing stories of love doing with other Trinity folks and our community.

2 PERSONAL WORD SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, :45 & 11 AM Sanctuary The 8:45 AM worship service is broadcast via 15-minute delay from 9-10 AM Sundays on WAPI-1070 AM. SERMON Rev. Brian Erickson LOVE DOES MUSIC 8:45 AM - Kathryn Fouse, Trinity Singers, Seeds of Faith, Praise Alliance 11:00 AM - Kathryn Fouse, Seeds of Faith, Sanctuary Choir MINISTER ON CALL Bobby Scales, One day Jesus is in the Temple, and there is a lovely reception, with finger foods and punch and a set of those huge grand opening scissors. Evidently a wealthy gentleman has made a huge gift, and the Temple trustees have decided to rename the Fellowship Hall in his honor. But Jesus turns his disciples attention to an unseen corner of the room. In the shadow of the wealthy man s gift, a widow drops two copper coins into the treasury. Jesus says the widow s offering, according to the math of heaven, is the better gift. Our giving is not measured in numbers, but by heart. By what it cost us. Christian stewardship is based on the idea that everything in creation ultimately belongs to God, but for a season, it is ours to manage. The very idea of stewardship contradicts the philosophy of the world, which tells us that the quality of life is rooted in personal gain. Stewardship declares that the measure of a life is in what we have given. For a season, God s treasure rests in our hands so how do we best steward God s resources? God doesn t ask an equal gift of all of us, but He does ask for equal sacrifice. The final measure of our giving is not the number on the check we write, but the heart out of which our gift is made. Let me let you in on a secret you probably already knew: stewardship campaigns can be a real drag. Not just for the folks who hide out from church during the month of October, having developed an allergy to pledge cards, but also for the clergy, staff and laity who lead them. It takes a yeoman s effort to pull off a good stewardship campaign, and sometimes you re left to wonder if it made any difference. 8:45 & 11:00 AM WESLEY HALL Rev. Nathan Carden LOVE DOES OCTOBER 11 - ATTENDANCE 1,323 Total Worship Attendance 812 Traditional 411 Contact 100 Nursery 737 Sunday School Attendance But something different is happening around Trinity these days. I hope you feel it. Our prayers have not been directed towards a budget number, but towards the number of hearts we might change (including our own). Worship has been wonderful, the conversations around Bob Goff s amazing book, Love Does, have been stirring, and it is clear to all of us involved that God is up to something at Trinity. And the best is yet to come. I have genuinely never been so excited about a Celebration Sunday. Sunday, October 25, is going to go down as one of the most spirit-filled, barbecue-laden, and serviceoriented days in the history of this wonderful church. Our four worship services that WELCOME TO TRINITY Our mission is to Gather people to Christ, Grow people in Christ, Go to serve Christ in the world and Glorify Christ. Sunday Worship Opportunities: 8:45 & 11:00 AM TRADITIONAL services in the Sanctuary offering sermons, a special moment for children and a variety of music. 8:45 & 11:00 AM CONTACT relaxed, informal, services in Wesley Hall featuring music from the CONTACT Band, children are encouraged to attend. Sunday School & Nursery: 10:00 AM Sunday School Ages 2 yrs. + Nursery provided during all services Contact Us: Church Office: Fax: Care Line: Child Development Center: Brian Erickson Nathan Carden Suzanne Pruitt Bobby Scales Reid Crotty David Thompson Senior Minister Minister of Contact Worship and Young Adults Minister of Christian Formation Minister of Pastoral Care Minister of Pastoral Care Minister of Family & Youth Robert Sturdivant Minister of Students

3 CONTINUED... STEWARDSHIP 2016 day in both traditional and contemporary have been designed to help us look towards where God is leading us as a congregation. In our Fellowship Hall, volunteers (by reservation) will be packing thousands of meals for hungry folks around the world. In the Gym, we will enjoy a free and delicious meal (by, you guessed it, reservation) as a church family, catered by Full Moon Barbecue. It will be a day of celebrating hearts changed, lives transformed, and what LOVE CAN DO through us. Whether your offering is a couple of coins or Solomon s treasure, let us all come ready to do our share to build God s kingdom. See you Sunday. For Celebration Sunday Lunch and Stop Hunger Now reservations, please visit: A note from the Stewardship Chair... Hopefully by now, you are aware that we have begun our annual generosity campaign, focused around the theme of Bob Goff s amazing book, Love Does. Throughout the month of October, we re sharing stories of what love has done, is doing and can do through the prayers, presence, service, witness and gifts of Trinity and its members. This week, we re shining the spotlight on a relatively new ministry at our church, the Weekender Backpack Ministry. Take a moment to read the note below from Jon Barnacastle of the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama and know that your generosity is ensuring children in Homewood and West End have enough food to sustain them from the final bell on Friday afternoon to the first bell on Monday morning. Matt Hooper Let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. I John 3:18 Today, more than one in four of Alabama s children and youth a total of more than 294,000 young people live in households that struggle with food shortages at some point during the year. Because of the lasting negative consequences it can have for a child consequences that can follow her throughout the remainder of her life, childhood hunger has serious implications for the public health and prosperity of our state and of our country. The Weekenders Backpack Program provides packs of nutritious, easy-to-prepare meals to feed insecure children and youth over weekends and holidays when school meals are not available. This year, Trinity United Methodist Church is helping to close the weekend meal gap for about 200 local children by starting four new backpack programs in Homewood City Schools in addition to taking ownership of and expanding the Weekenders Program at Hemphill Elementary, located in Birmingham s West End. That s 200 kids who, thanks to Trinity, will be able to look forward to the weekend rather than worry about it. That s 200 kids who will return to school each Monday morning with more energy for the upcoming week. That s 200 kids who will be better equipped to succeed in school and beyond. Perhaps most importantly, though, that s 200 kids who will be able to spend their Saturdays just being kids. Community Food Bank of Central Alabama is proud to partner with Trinity United Methodist Church to provide this essential service, and we thank you for being Neighbors to our community s most vulnerable. Jon Barnacastle Programs Coordinator, Community Food Bank of Central Alabama Jon Barnacastle Community Food Bank Submit your 2016 pledge online, visit LOVE DOES Thanks to Trinity, 200 kids in our community are not hungry over the weekend. 3

4 MISSION & OUTREACH WEEKENDERS Backpack Program This new ministry is off to a wonderful start! Homewood City School counselors have worked with us to provide food for 52 students. We are also now providing meals for 141 students at Hemphill Elementary School, which is located in West End. Hemphill is excited to partner with us, and the Food Bank is thankful for the generosity of the people of Trinity. If you would like to contribute monetarily to this project, or if you would like to volunteer your time, please contact Kristan at or kwalker@trinitybirmingham.com. Questions about Trinity s Mission and Outreach programs? Please contact Kristan Walker, Director of Outreach Ministries kwalker@trinitybirmingham.com, Every Sunday in October, Trinity wants OCTOBER you to prayerfully consider how you get to our church building. If you live close enough, walk or bike. Need to drive? Pick up a neighbor on your way! Usually bring 2 cars from your house? Try just 1. Take this chance to enjoy the upcoming fall weather, save some parking spots, walk & talk with your family and neighbors, use less gas, get some exercise, and participate in a church-wide event. New bike racks have been installed on the east and west sides of the building. Free T-shirts! We have free t-shirts for you to wear so you can walk or bike comfortably and help spread the word that Trinity cares about these things. If you d like a shirt, contact Amy Mezzell at amezzell@trinitybirmingham.com. Homebound Communion Servers On the first Sunday of each month, Trinity members gather to head out and serve communion to our homebound members. If you would like to join this group in serving in this rewarding and meaningful ministry, contact Rev. Bobby Scales at Next Steps A new track for our guests and new members held every Sunday at 10 AM in the Fellowship Hall. Join us! EVERY 1ST SUNDAY of the Month Meet Enjoy breakfast in a casual setting with the pastoral staff. 10 AM, Fellowship Hall EVERY 2ND SUNDAY of the Month Belief Enjoy a discussion to remember your baptism, learn about infant baptism, or explore adult profession of faith. We will also discuss communion and the sacraments of our faith. 10 AM, Fellowship Hall EVERY 3RD SUNDAY of the Month Methodism Learn about the history, theology, and practices of the United Methodist Church. 10 AM, Fellowship Hall EVERY 4TH SUNDAY of the Month Belong Hear from staff and lay ministers on the membership vows and how to find your very own place of ministry at Trinity. 10 AM, Fellowship Hall EVERY 5TH SUNDAY of the Month Tour Join a Trinity member and others for an informational tour around the church campus. 10 AM, Fellowship Hall We would love for you to join us. if you have questions, please contact Shelley Brockwell at or sbrockwell@trinitybirmingham.com. 4

5 food & fellowship student ministry weekly update Here is what is happening at Element this week: 4:30-6:15 pm fellowship hall $20.00 Family Maximum (or) - $6.00 per adult - $3.00 per child (9 and under) - $5.00 per senior adult - $5.00 Salad Bar option Please let us know you are coming! Make a reservation online at menu - October 14 ADULTS: Chicken fingers, mashed potatoes, green beans, cookie KIDS: same as adults * Menu subject to change. menu - October 21 ADULTS: meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, okra, cookie KIDS: Hamburger, fries, cookie, fruit, milk * Menu subject to change. You are invited yoga to join us for free during WEDNESDAY evening children s activities. 6-7 PM Fireside Room 1st floor, Gym Hallway ELEMENT PLUS, THIS SUNDAY 10/ PM This Sunday, October 18, we will be finishing up our October Series by looking at how friends can positively and negatively impact our relationship with Jesus. Worship will end at 7 PM and we will move straight into PLUS. PLUS - SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 7 PM (following worship) - Change the World! We will be heading out into our community with $5 To Change The World. Here s how the night works. We will ask students to arrive to worship with $5 additional to the $3 needed for dinner. Following worship, we will dismiss students to vehicles. At that point, each vehicle is responsible for coming up with what to do with the total money brought and how your team can change the world in that remaining hour. Some teams buy a lot of 50 cent hamburgers to pass out, others deliver donuts or make cards for retirement communities. Those are simply suggestions - there are no guidelines for this activity other than to return to Trinity by 8 PM. If you would like to be a driver for this night, please use QR code below to sign up. PUMPKINFEST 2016, 10/25 Pumpkinfest is on Sunday, October 25 from 6-8 PM in the small parking lot at Trinity. We are so excited about this awesome night and we hope that your student will make plans to be here. We will have costume contests, awesome games, amazing food, a time of worship and a lesson. Mark the calendar and make plans to be here! SEX & RELATIONSHIP SERIES, NOVEMBER During the month of November, Element will be doing a series on Sex, Boundaries and Relationships on Sunday nights. We are planning on having a parent meeting on Sunday, October 18 from 6-7 PM to discuss this upcoming series. ELEMENT CAFE, TUESDAY & THURSDAY Every Tuesday and Thursday from 3-5:30pm, we are privileged to have Element Cafe for all students, including 6th graders! Element Cafe is our after school program where students can come hang out. In October, we will be selling Insomniac cookies for $1.50! If you have any questions, please Tori at TTenniswood@trinitybirmingham.com. ELEMENT PRAYER BREAKFAST, TUESDAY Every Tuesday morning at 6:30 AM in the Youth Center, we have Prayer Breakfast. All middle school and high school students are invited to join us for breakfast, $3. This is the perfect way to start a new day! Middle School students will walk to HMS following. SOS 2016, SAVE THE DATE & REGISTER TODAY! Registration for our high school mission trip, Service Over Self (SOS) is NOW OPEN!! This summer s dates are July 10-16, Cost for this incredible mission trip is $350. A $100 non-refundable deposit is asked for upon registration. Scholarships are available for any student in need. To register, go to and secure your student s spot. These will fill up fast! As always, please let us know if there is anything that we can do to partner with you in helping to raise your student in a relationship with Christ. David Thompson, Pastor of Youth and Family dthompson@trinitybirmingham.com We Love Our Volunteers! Use this QR code to easily sign up to serve as an Element volunteer. Scan to find out what is currently available. 5

6 South Central District United Methodist Women DISTRICT ANNUAL MEETING Sunday, October 18th at 2:00 pm Trinity United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall ALL Methodist Women are invited! Attention Trinity Women...you are invited UMW General Meeting and Lunch on Monday, October 19 The meeting starts at 10am with lunch at 11am in the Fellowship Hall. Ruth Brooks will speak about issues concerning people with disabilities. She will also be selling a variety of mums for $12-$15 with proceeds benefitting the Greenhouse Gang, a children s mission project at Harpersville UMC. Lunch is $6.00 and non-umw member reservations can be made by ing Billie Gray at gray81321@bellsouth.net. UMW Members need to their Circle Chair for reservations. The deadline for reservations is Tuesday, October 13. If you have questions about UMW, please contact Cel Bailey at umwpresident@trinitybirmingham.com WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Barney and Susan Wilborn 1317 Badham Circle, Vestavia Hills The Wilborns joined Trinity by transfer from another United Methodist Church. Barney is a project manager for Stewart-Perry Construction. Lori Zucco 1005 Drexel Pkwy, Homewood Lori joined Trinity by vows from another Christian denomination. She is an insurance agent. Kate McKnight 1660 B Lakeshore Court, Homewood Kate joined Trinity by transfer from another United Methodist Church. She is an assistant director of youth ministry at Trinity. Allen and Brenda Smith 3262 Crossings Drive, Hoover The Smiths joined Trinity by transfer from another United Methodist Church. Allen is a systems analyst for BCBS of AL and Brenda is a clinical manager at Grandview Medical Center. Michael and Carol Lightfoot 1340 Willoughby Road, Vestavia Hills, AL The Lightfoots joined Trinity by transfer from another United Methodist Church. Michael and Carol both work for Credex Systems. They have two children, Kate (15) and Zach (10). PACESETTERS October 27 - Pacesetters Lunch This month s speaker is Karla Stamps, well known actress and story-teller. She will present a special Veteran s Day Program. Karla s love of history and research combined with a genuine affinity for people make the perfect recipe for an entertaining program. Lunch is served at 12 noon. Cost $6. Please call Amy for reservations by Friday, October 23. October 28 - Hallelujah Trail GUNTERSVILLE. We will visit First Methodist Church of Guntersville, which was organized in 1822 with 33 Cherokee Native Americans ministered by circuit rider, Richard Neely. We will also visit the First Presbyterian Church. Their first building was abandoned, burned, and covered with Guntersville Lake. Lunch will be at the highly acclaimed Rock House Restaurant. We are leaving Trinity at 8:00 AM. Fee of $10 for van/gas. December Huntsville Christmas This tour includes lunch at one of Huntsville s fine restaurants, guided tour of historic sections, where homes are beautifully decorated for Christmas, tour of Weeden House, visit to historic Harrison Brothers Hardware Store, Huntsville Botanical Garden s GALAXY OF LIGHTS drive through Christmas light show, and the fabulously decorated trees on the Tinsel Trail. Our accommodations at the Embassy Suites downtown at Big Spring Park include a buffet breakfast and Manager s Reception (drinks and snacks). Transportation on deluxe motor coach. Cost is $ person/ double. Save these holiday dates! December 10 Christmas Tea, Fellowship Hall. All Trinity Seniors invited for good food, fun and holiday fellowship. December 11 Gaither Christmas Homecoming Concert at 7 PM at the BJCC, $40. December 12 Mooresville Holiday Progressive Dinner and Tour For more info contact Amy Lewis at or alewis@trinitybirmingham.com. 6 (Not pictured) Bill and D Ann Somerall 3507 Kingshill Road, Mountain Brook The Someralls joined Trinity by vows from another Christian denomination. They are both assistant professors at UAB School of Nursing.

7 CFT FSR CONF SANC FHALL HIGHLIGHTED EVENTS THIS WEEK Sunday - October 18 8:45 AM Traditional Worship - SANC 8:45 AM Contact Worship - WHALL 10:00 AM Sunday School - various 10:00 AM Next Steps - FHALL 11:00 AM Traditional Worship - SANC 11:00 AM Contact Worship - WHALL 4:15 PM Youth Handbells - Rm :00 PM Confirmation - various 5:00 PM Youth Choir - MS 6:00 PM Element - Haven 6:00 PM Disciple I Study - Rm :00 PM Adult Handbells - Rm :00 PM Men Pick-up Basketball - GYM Monday - October 19 9:00 AM UMW Exec. Board Mtg. - FSR 10:00 AM UMW General Mtg. - FHALL 12:00 PM Senior Adult Activities Tuesday - October 20 6:30 AM Youth Prayer B fast - Haven 8:00 AM Senior Adult Activities - various 9:00 AM Trinity Studio - CFT 10:00 AM Trinity Singers - MS 11:00 AM Senior Adult Lunch - SDR 3:00 P M Element Cafe - Haven & Gym Craft Room 143 Fireside Room 145 Conference Room 220 Sanctuary Fellowship Hall LIB NAT LP SP HAVEN Registration Deadline is December 1 Library 218 Not at Trinity Large Parlor Small Parlor 105 Youth Auditorium CHAPEL MS WHALL SDR FLC Join Rev. Brian Erickson & Rev. Nathan Carden Holy Land Classic This trip is rapidly approaching! 30 people have already signed up. Ifyou are interested in the FEBRUARY 2016 tour that will be led by our pastors, please pick up a brochure containing all trip details. They are available in the church office, :00 PM Young Adults (30 s) - SDR 6:30 PM Young Adults (20 s) - NAT Wednesday - October 21 8:00 AM Senior Adult Activities - various 9:00 AM Yoga - Rm :45 PM Wednesday Dinner - FHALL 5:00 PM Children s Music & Activites 6:00 PM Trinity Book Group - SP 6:00 PM Men s Study :00 PM Small Group Studies - various 6:00 PM Yoga - FSR 7:00 PM Boy Scouts - Scout Room 7:00 PM Contact Music Practice - WHALL 7:00 PM Sanctuary Choir Practice - MS Thursday - October 22 8:00 AM Senior Adult Activities - various 9:00 AM Trinity Studio - CFT 9:15 AM Small Group Studies - various 10:00 AM MOMentum - Rm :00 AM Senior Adult Lunch - SDR 3:30 PM Element Cafe - Youth Area Friday - October 23 8:00 AM Senior Adult Activities - various 9:00 AM Trinity Studio - CFT Mouat Chapel Music Suite 132 Wesley Hall Small Dining Room Family Life Center 2016 Holy Land Tour 10 days February 1-10 Starting at $3,998 IN MEMORIAM Pat Bailey October 6 We extend our love and sympathy: to Peer Bailey and family on the death of his wife, Pat Bailey, on October 6. She was the sister-in-law of Tim and Cel Bailey and a member of Oakmont UMC (Trinity UMC). to Mickey and David Jones on the death of her brother, Jerry Pennington, on October 8. He was also the uncle of Rebecca Carpenter, Jennifer Comstock and Nancy Jones. CONGRATULATIONS to Ann Browning, Director of TCDC and proud grandmother, on the birth of her granddaughter, Mary Elliott McInnish, on October 7. to Hank and Mallory Ann Weldon on the birth of their son, Henry Howard Weldon V, on October 11. to Brian and Amy Mezzell on the baptism of their son, Otis James Mezzell, on October 11. to T.R. and Claire Butler on the baptism of their daughter, Frances Sanderson Butler, on October 11. to Nick and Kristen Doleys on the baptism of their son, Shepherd Henry Doleys, on October 11. to Richard and Cayce Paddock on the baptism of their twin sons, Richard Fitz Paddock and Henry Duggan Paddock, on October 11. TREASURER S REPORT GENERAL BUDGET: IN THE HOSPITAL BROOKWOOD ST. VINCENT S BROOKDALE REHAB As of October 11, 2015 Milton Watts Mary Harris Larry Johnson Rhonda Montgomery Holloway Cromer Edwina Pratt Month to date revenue $121,385 Monthly needs to date $152,988 Balance/shortage $(31,603) Capital Giving this month $3,635 Capital Giving year to date $103,918 Balance owed on Debt / Prayer Garden $321,000 Note from the Treasurer: Questions about church finances, income or expense? If you wonder how funds are received or expensed, the financial books of Trinity are 7 open to any member. Contact Ann Neptune at or aneptune@trinitybirmingham.com.

8 Tidings Trinity United Methodist Church (USPS ) is published weekly, except Christmas week, by Trinity United Methodist Church, 1400 Oxmoor Road, Birmingham (Homewood), AL Periodicals postage paid at Birmingham, AL. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Tidings, Trinity United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 19069, Birmingham, AL SUNDAYS at Trinity: Worship 8:45 & 11:00 AM Sunday School 10:00 AM Youth Activities 6:00 PM Serving Greater Birmingham from Homewood Our Mission: To Gather To Grow To Go To Glorify 1400 Oxmoor Road, Homewood, AL Careline: You are invited MOMentum is a group of women who will gather together to gain knowledge, share ideas, support each other, and seek God s grace on the journey that is motherhood. Please join us as we tackle the issues that YOU are facing and enjoy fantastic speakers, discussion and fellowship. The group will meet the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month from 10-11:30 AM in Room 111. Childcare provided in the nursery at no cost. Register online! Questions? Sarah Paulk (205) spaulk1@gmail.com MOMentum is listed under On-Going Studies OCTOBER 22 Speaker: Lyndsey Mooney Couponing Expert Topic: Learn couponing tricks to stock up on your favorites and save your family money! HOW CAN YOU SERVE THIS WEEK? Check out WEEKLY CONNECT for ways that you can plug in to ministry today simple sign-ups available now. Log on to: