TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH September 29, 2015 Vol. 49 No. 39 Let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. I John 3:18 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Honors & Memorials 3 Next Steps 4 Mission & Outreach 4 Calendar of Events 7 Stewardship 2016 October 1 will mark the start of our 2016 Stewardship Campaign. This year s theme is based on the book, Love Does, by Bob Goff. During the month we will focus on what it means to put our faith into action. We look forward to October as we reflect on what love has done, what love is doing, and what love can do through the works of our church. Also! Mark your calendar for Sunday, October 25 when we will celebrate what LOVE DOES with a church-wide luncheon and an incredible hands-on mission project, Stop Hunger Now. To make a reservation for lunch and to sign up for a Stop Hunger Now shift, please visit: www.trinitybirmingham.com What love does... Hundreds of Trinity members spread out across Birmingham for Magic City Miracle on Sunday afternoon. Pictured below are folks at the Urban Ministry Sweet Potato Drop gleaning 40,000 lbs of sweet potatoes. Magic City Miracle 2015 In OCTOBER! Beginning Sunday, Trinity wants 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. New bike racks have been installed on both the east and west sides of the building. For more photos from Magic City Miracle, see inside on page 6. Free t-shirts are available for you to wear so you can walk or bike comfortably and help spread the word that Trinity cares. If you d like a shirt, email Amy Mezzell at amezzell@ trinitybirmingham.com.
LOVE DOES STEWARDSHIP 2016 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2015 8:45 & 11 AM Sanctuary Full Communion 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 - Sanctuary Choir 11:00 AM - Praise Alliance MINISTER ON CALL Nathan Carden, 863-0765 8:45 & 11:00 AM WESLEY HALL Rev. Nathan Carden Love Does SEPTEMBER 27 - ATTENDANCE 1,219 Total Worship Attendance 670 Traditional 445 Contact 102 Nursery 742 Sunday School Attendance A note from the Stewardship Chair... Nine months ago, Brian, Nathan and I huddled over cups of coffee and began planning this year s stewardship campaign. If you re new to Trinity, or to church life in general, you may not be aware of the significance of such a campaign. In short, stewardship is the time where our members pledge their financial support for the upcoming year of ministry. Essentially, the scope of our 2016 ministry (financially speaking) will largely be determined by what happens over the next few weeks. Suffice it to say, this is a pretty big deal. Take a moment to consider the number of lives impacted by in a given year. In addition to the folks who show up to worship on Sunday mornings, hundreds more are on-campus each week for youth ministry events, scouts, choirs, Bible studies, small group studies, support groups, counseling, Wednesday night dinner, childcare the list goes on and on. Frankly, those ministry opportunities exist because of God s grace, gifted workers and pledge cards. Beyond our walls, those pledge cards represent labor, transportation, furniture, food, water, shelter and direct funding to local, national and international missions operations. They go toward feeding hungry children in Homewood and West End. They provide shelter for homeless families that are periodically housed inside our church. They ve dug wells in Africa, built homes in Panama and repaired schools in Bolivia. They provide a pathway for kids and adults here in our community to come to know the love of God and receive the gift of baptism. Did I mention that this is a pretty big deal? Knowing all that, I anticipated our new senior pastor would have some pretty well-defined, ambitious goals to share. I expected some Excel charts, a few bar graphs. I figured we d solve for x and y at some point. I brought my graphing calculator, just in case. After a reasonable portion of our coffee had been consumed, I figured the time was right. With pen hovering above paper, I asked: Brian, about those stewardship goals. What did you have in mind? Five, ten percent growth? How many pledges specifically? He responded in typical Brian fashion. I would like to see a church full of generous people. I paused, waiting for the remainder of the thought to come tumbling out, only to realize that was it. Our 2015 goal: Be Generous People. I was expecting a numbers discussion, but Brian wanted a hearts discussion. We will have what we need to do the work God wants us to do if we have a church full of generous people. There was steadfast assurance in his voice as he spoke those words. A pledge to be a more generous person goes beyond just the dollar amount on your pledge card. It also extends to your time, talents, words, and presence things you cannot debit monthly from your bank account, but that will change lives, nevertheless. Spend time with the Lord over the next few weeks and share with Him the goal Be Generous People. Ask for guidance on how to meet that goal in your own life. Listen. Do. Blessings, Matt Hooper Stewardship Chair 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: 879-1737 Fax: 868-9714 Care Line: 868-9709 Child Development Center: 879-1749 www.trinitybirmingham.com 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
October Stewardship Study Sunday Mornings Small Group Offering Love Does by Bob Goff Sundays, October 4-25 9:55-10:45 AM Room #143 (Craft Room) If you are not currently in a Sunday School class or if your class will not be using the Love Does curriculum during October, we invite you to join us during the SS hour. (10 AM) Love Does is our church-wide stewardship theme this year from which our pastors will be preaching during the month of October. Bob Goff s book encourages us to live a lifestyle that fiercely seeks out ways of showing love. In fact, he has given all of the proceeds from this book away to those in need! The group will meet on four Sunday mornings, Oct 4 / Oct 11 / Oct 18 / Oct 25 from 9:55-10:45 AM in Room #143 (Craft Room, 1st floor near the Gym). 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. Find us on Facebook:, Homewood Follow us on Twitter: @TrinityBHM Please register online today by visiting: www.trinitybirmingham.com/adults/studies-small-groups-2/ or by emailing Amy Mezzell at amezzell@trinitybirmingham or com. GIFTS TO GLORIFY GOD & TO REMEMBER THOSE WE LOVE HONORARIUMS August 28 - September 24, 2015 REV. REID CROTTY Circle 5 of Trinity s UMW The Club Sandwich Generation MARK & LISA ELLIOTT Julie Adams FRIENDSHIP CLASS CRAIG & JODI HASKINS Julie Adams SCOTT & BONNIE ROBERTSON Julie Adams SUSAN & MARK ROHRER Julie Adams REV. BOBBY SCALES MR. & MRS. DAVID SENSEMAN Mr. & Mrs. Craig Battle HADLEY KATE THOMPSON Ken & Ann Damsgard MEMORIALS August 28 - September 24, 2015 FLOYD HAIR Marshall & Joan Mezzell BILL JEFFRIES Jim & Gwen Williams Bill & Becky Hutto Mr. & Mrs. Robert W. Moore LAURA ZINK JONES Trinity UMC KAREN LIES McCARROLL Michael & Mary Beth Wagner JUDY REED Meryl H. Vaiden TILA VAUGHAN Jim & Debbie Fly Bill & Becky Hutto JANE WATKINS George T. Hou ROBERT WALSTON Duane & Terrie Shroyer Bill & Becky Hutto Ken & Ann Damsgard Janie Mashburn Ted & Donna Roose GARY & JUDY JACKSON The JOY Class THE TRINITY SINGERS PAUL MILLS Joan & Marshall Mezzell EVA CATHERINE McROBERTS Bill & Becky Hutto SUZANNE PRUITT Allison McKinnon BETTY von HERRMANN Lee, Allison, Henry and Isaac McKinnon JOHN PEARSON Tim, Linda & Bryce Weber 3
MISSION & OUTREACH WEEKENDERS Backpack Program Since the spring, we have raised over $27,000 for this new ministry and we have gathered 45 committed volunteers! Homewood City School counselors have worked with us to provide food for 56 students. We are also in the process of providing meals for 65 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 879-1737 or kwalker@trinitybirmingham.com. MEALS ON WHEELS Service Opportunity Meals on Wheels need people to deliver meals in the Homewood area on the second Wednesday of each month. If you are interested in participating in this rewarding ministry, ontact Judy Keenum at 942-4614 or 835-4487, cell. Questions about Trinity s Mission and Outreach programs? Please contact Kristan Walker, Director of Outreach Ministries kwalker@trinitybirmingham.com, 879-1737 Join Rev. Brian Erickson & Rev. Nathan Carden Holy Land Classic If you are interested in the FEBRUARY 2016 Holy Land Tour that will be led by our Pastors, Brian Erickson and Nathan Carden, you are encouraged to pick up a brochure containing all trip details. They are available in the church office, 879-1737. 2016 Holy Land Tour 10 days February 1-10 Starting at $3,998 www.eo.travel 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 4 Homebound Communion Servers One 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 879-1737. We would love for you to join us. if you have questions, please contact Shelley Brockwell at 879-1737 or sbrockwell@trinitybirmingham.com.
food & fellowship student ministry weekly update www.elementstudentministry.com 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 www.trinitybirmingham.com menu - September 30 ADULTS: Broiled Tuna or Baked Chicken, rice, roasted root vegetables, cookie KIDS: Corndogs, fries, fruit, cookie, milk menu - October 7 ADULTS: Beef tips served over noodles, green beans, cookie KIDS: Baked chicken legs, macaroni and cheese, cookie, milk You are invited yoga to join us for free during WEDNESDAY evening children s activities. ELEMENT PLUS, THIS SUNDAY 10/4-6-8 PM This Sunday we are kicking off our new series, 3 Reasons You Don t Need Jesus (see below) with Element Plus. We will have worship from 6-7 PM with our message coming from David Thompson. Following worship, we will open up the gym for one of our newest games, GaGa Ball as well as turn the Haven into the ultimate Karaoke Sing-Off experience. This is a night your student will not want to miss! OCTOBER SERIES, 3 REASONS YOU DON T NEED JESUS Explanation: Of course we need Jesus and Christ ought to be the foundation of each of our lives, but we sometimes get confused with the difference between the spiritual and physical needs in our lives. You can have a very successful life (in terms of security, duration, health, and well-being) without Jesus. When things are going well in the physical sense, we tend to ignore the needs of our spiritual lives. This series explores those physical things in our lives that cause us to believe that we don t need Jesus. The hope with this series is two part - to engage students who are already spiritually deep but wanting to better answer the question of but why does this matter? and then to engage those who aren t already in relationship with Jesus and perhaps open up a new discussion of the importance of Christ. ELEMENT CAFE, TUESDAY & THURSDAY Every Tuesday and Thursday from 3-5:30 PM we are privileged to have Element Cafe for all students, including 6th graders! Element Cafe is our after school program and this month we will be offering Steel City pops which are being sold for $3 all month long! If you have any questions please email 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. FUSION Many FUSION Bible Study Small groups will be meeting this week. If you would like to get your student plugged into a weekly Bible study please email Kate McKnight at kmcknight@trinitybirmingham.com and she will get you all the information you need. 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, 2016. Cost for this incredible mission trip is $350. A $100 deposit non-refundable deposit is asked for upon registration. Scholarships are available for any student in need. To register, please go to www.elementstudentministry. com/sos to 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 6-7 PM Fireside Room 1st floor, Gym Hallway 5
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) 478-2666 spaulk1@gmail.com www.trinitybirmingham.com/adults/studies-small-groups-2/ MOMentum is listed under On-Going Studies OCTOBER 8 Speaker: Suzan Brandt MBHS Technology Coordinator Topic: Internet safety for parents, caregivers and kids of all ages! LOVE DOES during Magic City Miracle on Sunday, September 27 Don t forget your name tag... on Sunday mornings or anytime you are attending or representing Trinity! This is a great way to provide hospitality to our guests, and to help us get to know one another better. If you don t have a name tag, contact Marie Pasco at 879-1737. PACESETTERS Save these Holiday Dates! December 3-4 Christmas Lights at Huntsville Botanical Gardens 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 on any Senior Adult event, contact Amy Lewis at 879-1737 or alewis@ trinitybirmingham.com. 6
CFT FSR CONF SANC FHALL HIGHLIGHTED EVENTS THIS WEEK Sunday - October 4 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. 225 6:00 PM Confirmation - various 5:00 PM Youth Choir - MS 6:00 PM Element - Haven 6:00 PM Disciple I Study - Rm. 323 6:00 PM Adult Handbells - Rm. 225 8:00 PM Men Pick-up Basketball - GYM Monday - October 5 12:00 PM Senior Adult Activities 1:00 PM Trinity Studio - CFT Tuesday - October 6 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 5:00 PM Trustees Meeting - CONF 6:00 PM Young Adults (30 s) - SDR 6:30 PM Young Adults (20 s) - NAT 6:30 PM SPRC Meeting - CONF Wednesday - October 7 8:00 AM Senior Adult Activities - various 9:00 AM Yoga - Rm. 304 4:45 PM Wednesday Dinner - FHALL 5:00 PM Children s Music & Activites 6:00 PM Men s Study - 310 6:00 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 8 8:00 AM Senior Adult Activities - various 9:15 AM Small Group Studies - various 10:00 AM MOMentum - Rm. 111 11:00 AM Senior Adult Lunch - SDR 3:30 PM Element Cafe - Youth Area Friday - October 9 8:00 AM Senior Adult Activities - various Library 218 Not at Trinity Large Parlor Small Parlor 105 Youth Auditorium CHAPEL MS WHALL SDR FLC Mouat Chapel Music Suite 132 Wesley Hall Small Dining Room Family Life Center Children s Ministry - Position Available Trinity is seeking an Assistant Director of Children and Family Ministries. The Assistant Director reports to the Director of Children and Family Ministries, and serves as an advocate for children and their families while enabling and encouraging spiritual formation through which they may become disciples of Christ. This a full-time position, with some flexibility in weekday hours, and required duties on Wednesday night and Sunday morning. The Assistant Director of Children and Family Ministry assists the Director in implementing a comprehensive birth through 5th grade developmental ministry, including VBS, Sunday School, Nursery, Parents Day Out, Special Class and other Children s programming. The qualified candidate will have a heart for children s ministry, strong relational skills, a Bachelor s level degree (or equivalent), and experience working with children (on a professional or volunteer basis). The Assistant Director will also demonstrate an understanding of childhood Christian faith development, and be able to minister to the unique needs of families with young children. Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and two references to trinity@trinitybirmingham.com. TRINITY STUDIO Calling all artists! Come join us in the Craft Room (next to the Gym) to explore your creative side. The group is creating POTTERY on Mondays 1-4 PM, and also meets on Tuesdays from 9 AM-Noon. Beginners are encouraged to join, supplies provided! For more info, call Dayna Orr at 205-253-5626. IN MEMORIAM We extend our love and sympathy: to Donna Johnson on the death of her father, Richard Clements, on September 26, 2015. He was also the grandfather of Wesley Johnson and William and Jessica Johnson Denton. to Keith and Rachael Jeff Abercrombie on the death of his grandfather, Robert Mitchell Abercrombie, on September 26. CONGRATULATIONS to Josh and Heather Britnell on the baptism of their sons, Joseph Dean Britnell and William Davis Britnell, on September 27. TREASURER S REPORT GENERAL BUDGET: IN THE HOSPITAL ST. VINCENT S BROOKDALE REHAB As of September 27, 2015 Mary Harris Edwina Pratt Larry Johnson Rhonda Montgomery Month to date revenue $230,198 Monthly needs to date $310,226 Balance/shortage $(80,028) Capital Giving this month $5,937 Capital Giving year to date $102,255 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 open to any member. Contact Ann Neptune at 879-1737 or aneptune@trinitybirmingham.com. PLEASE NOTE: Tidings publishes each week on Tuesday (except for the week of Christmas). The deadline for submitting information to be included is on Thursday, the week prior to the publish date. Please submit info via email to Haley Smith at hsmith@ trinitybirmingham.com. Tidings is delivered to the printing company each Monday at Noon. It is printed and mailed on Tuesday afternoon. Should you not receive your copy in a timely manner, please contact your postal carrier. The online version of Tidings is available each week on Tuesday at: www.trinitybirmingham.com/news/tidings 7
Tidings Trinity United Methodist Church (USPS 0641-120) is published weekly, except Christmas week, by Trinity United Methodist Church, 1400 Oxmoor Road, Birmingham (Homewood), AL 35209-3998. Periodicals postage paid at Birmingham, AL. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Tidings, Trinity United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 19069, Birmingham, AL 35219-9069. 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 35209 205.879.1737 Careline: 205.868.9709 www.trinitybirmingham.com U.S. POSTAL SERVICE STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION 1. Publication Title: Tidings, 2. Publication Number: 0641-120 3. Filing Date: Sept. 29, 2015 4. Issue Frequency: Weekly, except Christmas week 5. Number of issues Published: Annually - 51 issues 6. Annual Subscription Price: $0.00 7. Mailing Address of Office or Publication: 1400 Oxmoor Road 8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office: 1400 Oxmoor Road 9. Full Names & Corporate Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor & Managing Editor: 1400 Oxmoor Road, (Publisher) 1400 Oxmoor Road, (Haley Smith, Editor) 1400 Oxmoor Road, (Haley Smith, Managing Editor) 10. Owner: 1400 Oxmoor Road, 11. Known Bondholders, Mortgages & Other Security Holders: None 12. Tax Status: Tax Exempt, No. EX-22780 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: http://bit.ly/tumcvolunteer