TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH April 9, 2013 Vol. 47 No. 15 A Meal & A Deal Luau Night INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Garden Dedication 3 Choir Programs 4 New Contact Series 5 Senior Adult Events 6 Calendar of Events 7 6-8 PM Gym ** Nursery Available Come to a fun-filled Luau night that will include a silent auction with hundreds of items marked down below their fair market value, a live auction with big items and a delicious meal from The Fish Market. We encourage everyone to come out to get A Meal and a Deal and support Element Student Ministries! Questions? Contact David Hayes at david8927@aol.com. Tickets $10 adults $5 kids Available in the Youth Department and in the church office. ** Nursery Available by Reservation. Please contact Barry Smith at 879-1737 to make a reservation. TICKETS ON SALE NOW! Joe Dean, Jr. Trinity Men Spring Event Thursday, April 18 6 PM Fellowship Hall FEATURING GUEST SPEAKER: Joe Dean, Jr. Former Mississippi State basketball star and current announcer and Director of Athletics at Birmingham-Southern College. DINNER: Catered by The Fish Market TICKETS: $12 advance/$15 at the door Tickets available on Sunday mornings and the church office. Questions? Contact Drew Holland at dholland@trinitybirmingham.com. WALK TO CHURCH THIS MONTH Trinity is showing commitment to stewardship of God s creation by asking our members to travel green to church throughout the month. So, if you are able, we invite you to walk, ride your bike, or carpool to church on Sundays April 7, 14, 21, and 28. Stroller and bicycle parking will be available in the gym. TSHIRTS T-shirts are available to support the cause. You may purchase your t-shirt by contacting Amy Mezzell at amezzell@trinitybirmingham.com.
PERSONAL WORD SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2013 8:45 & 11:00 AM Sanctuary The 8:45 AM worship service is broadcast via 15-minute delay from 9-10 AM Sundays on WAPI-1070 AM & 100.5 FM SERMON Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett All Things Made New: Becoming New in Christ 2 Corinthians 5:16-6:1 MUSIC 8:45 AM Children s Handbell Choir, Scott Brooks, Men s Chorus 11:00 AM Children s Handbell Choir, Scott Brooks, Sanctuary Choir MINISTER ON CALL Andrew Wolfe, 871-1309 The Sunday after Easter is called Low Sunday in some countries, for obvious reasons! After the joy, excitement and packed churches of Easter, the Sunday after can seem dull and routine. It s back to the salt mines, so to speak. There is a tradition in the Eastern Church that we should celebrate the Sunday after Easter with a good laugh. This tradition began hundreds of years ago. A monk, whose name has been lost in history, was pondering the meaning of the events of Holy Week, with the solemn observances of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the astonishing, earth-shaking events of Easter. What a surprise ending, he thought. Then suddenly, like a bolt of lightning, he had a new insight. His hearty laugh startled his fellow monks, breaking the silence of their contemplation. Don t you see, he cried, It was a joke! A great joke! The best joke in all history! On Good Friday, when Jesus was crucified, the devil and evil thought they had won. But God had the last laugh on Easter when he raised Jesus from the dead. The monks called it the Easter laugh. So in honor of this tradition, I share some bad religious jokes: A bunch of loafers were sitting around a country store discussing the election of the new Pope, which was then in process. One old fellow listened for a while then said, Well, I think the Catholics have had it long enough. I hope a Baptist gets it this time. A woman called on the Presbyterian minister and asked him if he would conduct the funeral service for her dog. I can t do that, ma am, the minister said, why don t you try the Methodist minister? All right, she replied, But can you tell me how much I should pay him, $400 or $500. Hold on, said the minister, I didn t know your dog was a Presbyterian. WESLEY HALL 9:45 & 11:15 AM Rev. Nathan Carden A LOOK ATAPRIL 7 1,136 Worship Attendance 785 Sunday School Attendance A man stayed home while his wife went to church. When she returned, he asked her about the sermon. She said is was okay. Well what did the preacher preach about? he asked. I don t know, she replied, He never did say. May this season of Easter continue with joy. information for guests & new members Welcome to Trinity United Methodist Church! 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 same sermon and a variety of music. 11:15 AM CONTACT a relaxed, informal, service in Wesley Hall featuring praise music from the CONTACT Band, children are encouraged to attend. 10:00 AM Sunday School Ages 2 years and up. Nursery is provided during all services. Interested in Membership? Please join us the first Sunday of every month in the large parlor for Coffee with the Pastor. This is a time to meet the pastoral staff, ask questions and learn more about the core values and mission of Trinity. We also encourage you to attend Membership 101, a basic orientation prior to joining Trinity. It is offered on the second Sunday of each month. Contact Rev. Drew Holland at dholland@trinitybirmingham.com or call 879-1737 with any questions. Andrew Wolfe Senior Minister Suzanne Pruitt Minister of Christian Formation Drew Holland Minister of Welcoming Ministries and Young Adults Nathan Carden Minister of Outreach, Contact David Thompson Minister of Students Bobby Scales Minister of Pastoral Care & Visitation Mack Chapman Minister of Administration Church Office: 879-1737, Fax 868-9714 Care Line: 868-9709 Child Development Center: 879-1749
Prayer Garden Dedication This Sunday, APRIL 14 Trinity Prayer Garden and Columbarium Trinity will dedicate the new Prayer Garden & Columbarium this Sunday, April 14 immediately following the 8:45 AM worship service. You are invited to gather in the Prayer Garden with Trinity s Pastoral Staff and Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett for a brief ceremony. For more information, please visit: www.trinitybirmingham.com Everyone is welcome to use the new Prayer Garden. It is a sacred space for reflection, prayer and remembrance. Its use should respect this purpose. Please use quiet voices in the garden and monitor children. Children should be taught that this is not a playground. They should not run, pick up rocks or place items in the fountain. Remember, the Columbarium holds the remains of departed members; children should not climb on the walls. (Instructions on how to walk the labyrinth are listed below.) Symbolism of our Prayer Garden The flowing water of the Fountain represents our baptism into Christ. The river of God s grace covers us with forgiveness and fills us with the faith to begin our ministry in the world. The winding pathway of the Labyrinth represents our daily walk with God. It signifies that our salvation is a lifelong experience in which the Holy Spirit grants sanctifying grace to renew the image of God within us. Hear yourself breathe and hear the sound of your feet walking purposefully in union with God. Pause if needed. Feel free to step around someone if they need to stop. The holy resting spaces in our Columbarium represent those saints in our lives who have loved us and have been leaders in our faith who presently enjoy the promise of our own eternal reward with God. ARRIVING AT THE CENTER: This part of the journey is about being present to your innermost self and to the power of the divine. Be still and drink in the presence of God and listen. You may stand, sit, or kneel. Pause as long as you need. Others may arrive at the center at the same time. That is not a sign for you to move on. What is a Labyrinth? There are many ways to describe a labyrinth. It is a path of prayer, a walking meditation, holy ground, a watering hole for the spirit and a mirror of the soul. It is a winding path not a maze that leads its way to the center. As you leave the center and walk the path, you will find yourself exiting where you entered. How to Walk a Labyrinth ENTERING: Begin by sitting quietly to reflect. You may want to say a prayer or just slowly breathe in and out at the entrance before you begin. The basic advice is to enter the labyrinth slowly, calmly and clear your mind. Some like to walk with their hands open as a reminder that you cannot turn things over to God or receive from God with a closed fist. WALKING THE INWARD PATH: It is a time of sharing and releasing your worries and hurts to God, confessing your sins, and lifting others in prayer. It is a time of unburdening peeling the layers that inhibit you from being fully in the presence of God. RETURNING JOURNEY: This is a time of giving thanks to God, continuing to listen, and focusing on what you will bring back into your life. EXITING: Turn and face the entrance and acknowledge the ending of your walk with an Amen or something that comes to mind. Your walk may be joyous or somber. The beauty of a Labyrinth is that each time you walk it there will be a different experience because of where you were during that moment in your life. If you have questions about the Prayer Garden, or using the prayer labyrinth, please contact Rev. Suzanne Pruitt at 879-1737 or spruitt@trinitybirmingham.com. 3
You are invited to attend Trinity Children s Choirs Spring Music Programs Cherub Choir (3 year olds) & Carol Choir (4 year olds) Wednesday, April 24 6:00 PM Wesley Hall The Story of Deborah By: Jan Hermany Celebration Choir (5 year olds) Crusader & Choralier Choirs (1st - 5th grade) & Children s Handbells Sunday, April 28 3:00 PM Sanctuary 4 Boy Scout Troop 97 GARAGE SALE Pancake Breakfast & Silent Auction Saturday, May 11 7 AM - 12 PM TUMC Sale Open to the Public! Pancakes $5 (Kids under 5 free) AUCTION & SALE ITEMS ARE NEEDED! Do you own a business or do you know of a business that would donate an item or service to our silent auction? Do you sew or make homemade items? Are you an artist? Do you own a lake house in Alabama or condominium at the beach that you would be willing to offer for a one week stay? Trinity s Troop 97 is hosting its annual Pancake Breakfast, silent auction and garage sale on Saturday, May 11 from 7 AM to 12 Noon in the Fellowship Hall and gym and we are in need of auction items and garage sale donations. Please contact Carole Strong at carolestrong1@gmail.com or 572-1395 for Silent Auction donations and Bert Allen at bertjudy@hotmail.com or 540-5343 for pick up donations beginning the week of the event. All donations are tax deductible! Thank you so much for supporting our Troop! Have an EXTRA ROOM around the house? Our Youth Ministry team is so blessed to be able to offer internships to college students each summer who are seeking to serve God through student ministry. This summer, we are fortunate to have one college student who not only has interned in past summers, but also does not even live in Birmingham! We want to do everything we can to make him know how blessed we are to have him dedicate his summer to our church and students, so with that, we are seeking out provided housing for him. Josh is an upcoming senior at Troy University with plans of entering the ministry following college. Again Josh has served on our intern team in past summers and is an invaluable mentor and leader to our students. If you have an extra bed, guest room, or garage apartment and would be willing to house Josh for the summer, please contact Robert Sturdivant, Middle School Director at 205.879.1737 or email him at rsturdivant@trinitybirmingham.com.
Wednesday Supper 4:45-6:15 PM (Fellowship Hall) Leave the cooking to us! Come eat and 9/7 Menu: fellowship with your church family. Great meals at incredible prices! Meal Prices: $6/person, $3 /child (9 and under) $5 Salad Bar option $5 Senior Adults $20 Family Max.(immediate family only) BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Fries Also! 24 item Salad Bar & 2 soups Dessert: Ice Cream Sundaes $6/person $3 /child (9 and under) $5 Salad Bar $20 Family Max. (immediate family only) Let us know you are coming... make online reservations, and find weekly menus at: www.trinitybirmingham.com. mission & outreach WEST END TRANSPORTATION MINISTRY Did you know that many senior citizens and people with physical challenges have to depend upon transportation offered by Urban Ministries (A Methodist Ministry) to have access to grocery stores, community agencies, and basic healthcare? Trinity is in the preliminary stages of building a program to have church members drive our church vans 2-3 days per month on a 4-5 route to help meet these needs. If you would like more info, contact Nathan Carden at ncarden@trinitybirmingham.com or Ken Stalnaker at klstalnak@bellsouth.net. All drivers will have to be approved to drive church vehicles. BOLIVIA MISSION TRIP - JULY 2013 Trinity will return to Bolivia to work for a total of 8 days. The group will carry out some light construction work and help with the children in the daycare located on the property of the Methodist Church in Montero. No maintenance or construction experience is required. Adults of all ages are welcomed. The approx. cost of the trip will be $2,000 per person, with mission scholarships available. For more information, contact Ken Stalnaker at klstalnak@bellsouth.net. Have a question about Trinity s Mission & Outreach? Please contact Rev. Nathan Carden at 879-1737 or email ncarden@trinitybirmingham.com. Saint Junia NEW CHURCH UPDATE For more info on upcoming Saint Junia services and events, please log on to: www.saintjunia.org 4/10 Menu: ADULTS: Shepherd s pie, corn pudding, fried okra, slaw, cookie KIDS: hamburger, fries, fruit, cookie, milk Also! 24 item Salad Bar & 2 soups 4/17 Menu: ADULTS: Baked ham, sweet potatoes fried, green beans, roll, cookie KIDS: Corn dogs, french fries, fruit, cookie, milk Also! 24 item Salad Bar & 2 soups CANCER SURVIVOR? Or have you been affected by cancer? The Trinity Relay for Life Team would like to honor you or remember your loved one on Friday, April 26 at Homewood Park. Please email survivor names OR those you would like to remember to Laura at littlerenovations@yahoo.com. We d also love for you to be a part of our team at the event to represent our church as well as cancer research! 5
Register now for Summer Fun at Trinity Dates are online for Trinity Kids Summer Events www.trinitybirmingham.com Lay Director of SmallGroups POSITION AVAILABLE Trinity is seeking a person to plan, organize and oversee home-based small groups, and seminars for all ages and stages of life and to help develop an adult teacher training program. Experience in church work and/or education desirable. Maximum of 20 hours a week including some nights and weekends. Resumes/questions should be directed to Suzanne Pruitt at 879-1737 or spruitt@trinitybirmingham.com. Tuesdays at 10:00 AM Join this group in Room 114 in the nursery...bring your little ones. Questions? Email Kathryn at kathrb@gmail.com. pacesetters news APRIL 8-11 - SPRING TRIP to SAVANNAH, GA and The Golden Isles. APRIL 14 - DILL PICKERS Sand Mountain Saturday Night. LEAVE TRINITY AT 2:00 PM. There are a few tickets still available. APRIL 23 - PACESETTERS LUNCH. Karla Stamps will present Alabama Icons. MAY 8 - Alabama Theater Tour and Organ Concert MAY 29 - RICKWOOD CLASSIC Baseball Game JUNE 19 - ATLANTA TRIP. Our tour will include deluxe motor coach transportation to Atlanta. We will arrive at the beautiful historic Peachtree Christian Church, where we will meet our guide and tour the church, known for some of the most beautiful stained glass windows in the country. Our guide, Jim Howe, will give us a historic tour of Atlanta, including Peachtree Street and Buchhead areas. Lunch is included at the legendary Mary Mac s Tea Room. We will complete our tour with a visit to the new and interactive Coca Cola Museum, where we will learn more about the history of Coke and Atlanta. For reservations or more information on any event listed above, contact Amy Lewis at 879-1737 or alewis@trinitybirmingham.com. Did you have your photo taken for the directory? LifeTouch complimentary 8X10 PHOTOS are here. You can pick yours up at the Welcome Center on Sunday mornings. Meals to Moms! If you would like to be a part of a team that provides meals to members who have just had a baby, come and join us! To volunteer, please contact Karen Smith at 879-1737 or email her at ksmith@trinitybirmingham.com. 6
highlighted events this week Sunday - April 14 8:45 AM Traditional Worship - SANC 9:45 AM Prayer Garden Dedication 10:00 AM Membership 101 - LP 10:00 AM Sunday School - various 11:00 AM Traditional Worship - SANC 11:15 AM CONTACT Worship - WHALL 4:00 PM Sr. Adult Bible Study - SP 4:00 PM Youth Handbells - Rm. 225 5:00 PM Sr. High Youth Choir - MS 5:00 PM Middle School Element - Haven 6:15 PM Adult Handbells - Rm. 225 6:30 PM Sr. High Element - Haven 7:00 PM Middle School Youth Choir - MS 8:00 PM Men s Pick-up Basketball - GYM Monday - April 15 6:30 AM Men s Bible Study B fast - SDR Tuesday - April 16 6:30 AM Youth Prayer B fast - Haven 8:00 AM Senior Adult Activities - Various 8:00 AM Sr. Exercise Class - GYM 10:00 AM Trinity Singers - MS 10:00 AM Mama & Me - Nursery 3:00 PM Element Cafe - Haven Wednesday - April 17 8:00 AM Senior Adult Activities - Various 4:45 PM Wednesday Supper - FHALL 5:15 PM Children s Handbells - Rm. 225 6:00 PM Children s Choirs - various 6:00 PM Adult Studies - various 6:45 PM Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal - MS Thursday - April 18 8:00 AM Senior Adult Activities - Various 9:15 AM Adult Studies - various 3:00 PM Element Cafe - Haven 6:00 PM Men s Ministry Dinner - FHALL Friday - April 19 UAB: ST. VINCENT S: in the hospital Shari Calloway Jesse Donaldson in memoriam Polly Middlebrooks April 1 We extend our love and sympathy: to the family and friends of Polly Middlebrooks who died on April 1. congratulations to Donna and Ted Roose on the birth of their granddaughter, Laura Kelly Roose, on April 7. Proud parents are Gina and Tad Roose and big brother is William Reed Roose. treasurer s report As of April 7, 2013 GENERAL BUDGET: 2013 Month to Date Revenue: $60,947 Monthly Needs to Date: $59,905 Balance/shortage: $1,042 CFT FSR CONF SANC FHALL Craft Room 143 Fireside Room 145 Conference Room 220 Sanctuary Fellowship Hall LIB NAT LP SP HAVEN 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 CAPITAL DEBT RETIREMENT: Gifts this Month: $2,516 Gifts to Date: $64,297 take note Nursery Volunteers - April 14 Alice Allen, Lori Cracraft, Kate Garrett, Carrie Garrette, Lauren Latham, Paige Lowery, Blair Middleton, Robin Nix, Catherine Rockhold & Shannon Stevens Nursery Volunteers - April 21 Rachel Holt, Abbey Sheehan & Shannon Stevens Nursery volunteers are needed each Sunday. To volunteer, please contact Barry Smith at 879-1737 or email nurseryvolunteers@trinitybirmingham.com. LENTEN OFFERING to Date: $56,236 Note from 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 PARKING NOTICE: Trinity members and guests should NOT park in the All Saints lot near Oxmoor Rd. Also, please do not block the dumpsters or areas that are marked as NO Parking zones. Note that the small parking lot is reserved for handicapped, elderly and families with small children on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings. 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 & 11:15 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 WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Brandon and Katie Beth Owens 1416 Melrose Place, Homewood, AL 35209 The Owens joined Trinity by vows from another Chrisitian denomination and by transfer from another United Methodist Church. Brandon is an engineer for Wiregrass Construction and Katie Beth is a graphic designer for Student Life. Will and Paige King 405 Hambaugh Avenue, Homewood, AL 35209 The Kings joined Trinity by transfer from another United Methodist Church. Will is a radiology resident at Trinity and Princeton hospitals. Jeremy Thompson 312 Willow Bend Road, Homewood, AL 35209 Jeremy joined Trinity by Profession of Faith. He works in safety for Vulcan Materials and has a daughter, Avery, who is three years old. Laura Ruth Padgett 1200 Beacon Pkwy. E. #506, Homewood, AL 35209 Laura Ruth joined Trinity by vows from another Chrisitian denomination. She works in sales and has a son, Noah, who is six years old. Gene and Linda Compton 1300 Beacon Pkwy. E. #311, Homewood, AL 35209 The Comptons joined Trinity by transfer from another United Methodist Church. Gene works in construction and Linda is retired. Chris and Sarah Lee 1441 Linda Vista Lane, Vestavia Hills, AL 35226 The Lees joined Trinity by vows from another Chrisitian denomination and by transfer from another United Methodist Church. They have twins, Jack and Ella Kate, who are 4 months old.