Welcome to  Trinity Today  - monthly e-news and opportunities at Trinity UMC  

In This Issue
 Birthdays

July 1 Troy Baumgartner
July 3 Mike Nicholson
July 5 Blake Baumgartner
July 5 Grace Bishop
July 5 Marshall Dubberly
July 5 Susan Moor
July 5 Maurica Sisk
July 5 Debby Williams
July 6 Dorothy Foster
July 7 Patty Comly
July 7 Katherine Frierson
July 7 Troy Panda
July 8 Bill LeVeille
July 9 Junior Zabele
July 11 Jan Mogk
July 12 Shirley Hall
July 13 Debbie Bennett
July 13 Ashley Dunne
July 14 Scott Mohr
July 14 Bob Thew
July 15 Lauren Robbins
July 16 Lori Hansard
July 17 Kayla Palmer
July 18 Sandra King
July 19 Linda O'Quinn
July 19 David Solar
July 21 Carole Solar
July 23 Judy Moss
July 23 Chelsey Solar
July 23 Tekla Thornton
July 24 Hannah Churms
July 24 Jan Shipman
July 25 Cheyenne Zabele
July 26 Lex Ford
July 29 Barbara Bradley
July  29 Trish Frierson
July 29 Sion King
July 29 David Shipman
July 30 Zackary Frierson
July 31 Carol Wert

 

 Anniversaries

July 1 David & Carole Solar
    29 yrs
July 3 Robert & Maurica Sisk
    26 yrs
July 21 John & Carol Dill
    26 yrs
July 27 Keith & Charlie Yocum
    3 yrs
July 30 Robert & Kendra Cox
    31 yrs


The house and garage on the Plymouth Avenue property have both been razed and the ground is ready for construction - praise God!
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"Leadership is helping God's people take the next faithful step!"

The Administrative Council took the month of May off, and will convene in July when they will continue working on creating a new mission statement, along with a vision statement and a set of guiding principles/values for the church. This information will be used to guide and lead us in future decision-making.

The next quadrennium in the life of the United Methodist Church has begun and the Florida Conference is playing a leading role in the revitalization of congregations all over the U.S. John and Anita Campbell attended a day-long strategic planning meeting for the conference last month. There they worked with others to set goals for the next quadrennium. The Bishop has encouraged all churches to embrace, support and begin planning for three initiatives:
  • The Young Adult Missional Movement
  • The Fresh Expressions Movement
  • The Nehemiah Project
To read Bishop Carter's reflections on Annual Conference, General Conference and other current topics of interest for all United Methodists, click here or visit the conference website at  www.flumc.org.

Master Calendar
The church's master calendar can now be seen online. Visitors can view both previous and coming months.  Click here to view.

Hard-copies will be available in the church office or in the Narthex on Sundays. To add or correct information seen on the calendar, contact Lori Jones at  trinitymgr@cfl.rr.com  or 734-4425.

Breakfast At Trinity
 
Breakfast at Trinity serves those in need on the fourth Friday of each month. Our next breakfast is July 22 from 9:30 - 11:15 a.m. 
 
Parents, bring your middle or high school students for some volunteer time. There are many jobs available that are similar to helping serve meals at home with your family. No training needed! Many of our regular volunteers are vacationing during the summer, so we are in need of volunteers.
 
Call Lana Saxon, 736-1008, or the church office if you would like to volunteer.

Stephen Ministry News

Debra Wood just returned from an in-depth training for our Stephen Ministry program. She stated "My head is filled to the brim with all of the information and good ideas I learned! I can't wait to share them with the rest of the team," she added. Contact Debra or Lori Hansard lgjbhansard@totcon.com to learn more about this caring ministry.

Music Makers Summer Camp

Calling all rising second through fifth graders
 for our Summer Music Camp titled  Here for the Gold!

This fun musical will guide participants to find gold "treasures in the stories that Jesus told.

Camp, held July 11-15 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon daily, will be  filled with music, choreography, crafts, recreation and snacks.  If you know of any children in the 8-11 age bracket, please help us reach them! Download a registration form from the church website located at www.trinitydeland.org or pick up a form in the church office.

We will close the week by presenting the musical at both worship services on July 17.

See Conya Hartman (Director of Music & Worship) for details or email her at trinitymusic@cfl.rr.com.
 
United Methodist
Women News

This summer, all women of the church are asked to join with Susanna Circle as we contribute funds and school supplies needed by our Trinity Learning Center (TLC) for the coming year.

TLC needs not only school supplies, but also laundry and hygiene items, batteries, baggies and more. For a list of needed items, see last month's newsletter or check out the "pink bins" conveniently located in the Fellowship Hall.

Bring your supplies anytime and place them in the pink bins. Be sure to check  out all the sales that should start this month and save lots of money as you help TLC! 
  
TLC also appreciates contributions, as well, so they can purchase special items that may not be donated. Please write your check to Trinity and mark it "For TLC," then drop it in the offering plate on Sunday. 
  
Let's do all we can to support our Learning Center. They are influencing children's lives in their formative years and sharing Jesus' love with them.
 
Lana Saxon, Susanna Chairman

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High School Graduates

Angelica Munoz
- Trinity UMC Nursery Worker
Graduated from University High School
 
Lindsey Fox
- Related to Scott and Peggy Fox
Graduated from DeLand High School
 
Maia Carr
- Related to Brian and Lorena Carr
Graduated from DeLand High School
 
Robert Pickren
- Related to Bob and Cyndi Pickren
Graduated from DeLand High School
 
Trevor Rosso
- Related to Cindy Rosso, Freddie Davis, and Ashley Dunne
Graduated from DeLand High School
 
Daniel Badger
- Related to Hermie and Norma Clemente
Graduated from DeLand High School
 
Sarah Sharkey
- Related to Mike and Bess 
Graduated from DeLand High School
 
Rachel Gercak
- Related to Paul and Irene Gercak
Graduated from DeLand High School
 
Nick Gercak-
- Related to Paul and Irene Gercak
Graduated from DeLand High School
 
College Graduates
 
Jessica McMillen
-Related to Jill Miller
Graduated from Stetson University with a degree in business and entrepreneurship
 
Laura Hyde
- Related to Angie and Jim Hyde
Graduated from Daytona State College Associate in Arts Degree
 
Alyssa Brunning
- Related to Don and April Brunning and Barbara and Dick Brunning
Graduated from Daytona State College with a degree in Hospitality Management

JULY 2016

My Dear Sisters and Brothers,
 
Happy July! I hope and pray all is well with you, your families and all GOD has entrusted to you. I wish you a very Happy July Fourth and sincerely hope you have a glorious day celebrating the many freedoms we enjoy in our wonderful country!
  I write this in the midst of an exciting week as Trinity hosts Vacation Bible School! It is so inspiring to see our staff working hard with wonderful volunteers to give our children a fun week of experiencing God through crafts, games, songs, stories, snacks and personal friendships as they learn of God's great love for them! Thank you to Lori Hansard, Conya Hartman and the wonderful team of volunteers they have put together to bless our children and world! Thank you! Hallelujah!
Throughout June we have taken a look at Paul's letter to the Colossians which he wrote to a group of new believers of Christ living in a city caught in the rapid descent of decline just a few years (at the most) before their city would be devastated by a terrible earthquake. Most scholars believe that Colossae never recovered fully from that earthquake and the city never was restored to her former glory or importance; yet the Apostle Paul was worried about them because they were under attack from a dangerous, insidious heresy which sought to subtract from Jesus by making additions to Jesus as if Jesus wasn't enough. So far, we have focused most of our time on Paul's incredible declaration of the supremacy, the sufficiency, the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in 1:15-23 which reminds us all that Jesus Christ is sufficient for our salvation.
As we move away from Paul's declaration of Jesus, we find ourselves moving deeper into the letter and into the nitty-gritty of what it means to be a committed follower of Jesus Christ. Paul tells the Colossians that even though Christ submitted himself to die to set us free, we need to be intentional to continue in our faith - established and firm. In later verses he tells them in 2:6-7: "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught and overflowing with thankfulness." As someone recently said, "Salvation can happen in a moment but discipleship is a lifetime commitment."
Lorena and I have spent time thinking about this call to discipleship, this call to dig down deep and plant roots which will endure any storm. As I have watched the progress on the new hotel on the corner of Wisconsin and Woodland Blvd., I have seen workers sink deep footers and columns which will serve as the firm foundation for years and years to come. Both are images of discipleship Paul gives to us.  Lorena and I invite you to join us on Wednesday evenings in July at 6:30 p.m. at the parsonage (1698 Bent Oaks Blvd., DeLand, FL 32724) to be rooted and built up in Christ. All you need to bring with you is a Bible as we walk through James and look at ways to hold each other accountable as we live in Christ. We look forward to seeing you.
 
May GOD richly bless you all as you richly bless all those around you by living, loving and leading like Jesus.
 
Brian
PASSIONATE WORSHIP
Sermon Series  for July 

Pastor Brian will continue to walk our way through Colossians. After seeing just who Jesus is, we will look at how we are called to live out our faith in Jesus here on earth.
Sermon  Topics  for 

July 3

 

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

"Living Out Christ"
 

July 10

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

"Died in Christ"

July 17

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

Music Makers, Music and Drama Sunday 


July 24

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

"Living in Christ" 


July 31
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
"Marked by Prayer, Hope and Thankfulness"

INTENTIONAL DISCIPLING
Something More
The Something More worship service is taking a summer  hiatus and will resume again this fall. Thanks for your continued support as we explore new and innovative ways to worship our Lord.

Mark & Helen Jackson, Evangelism Team Chairs

Youth News

"Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe."
1 Timothy 4:12

During the week of June 12 th-17 th, Trinity Youth went on a mission trip to Myrtle Beach, SC. We went with an organization called Team Effort. There were twelve students and three chaperones. The students worked on VBS and played with kids at the Palmetto Missionary Baptist Church in Conway, SC.

We also did a reading program with the students to help them with their reading skills. Each day we would return back to the church for free time and then worship. On Thursday afternoon, we enjoyed a free afternoon at Myrtle Beach and then Broadway on the Beach. To hear more about the trip, please plan to attend one service on August 14 th. Thank you for all the support/prayers we received while we were gone. 

  
July 3
No Youth, due to July 4th weekend
July 10
Regular Youth, 3:00 - 5:00 pm
July 17
Movie & Popcorn, 3:00 - 5:00 pm
July 24
Regular Youth, 3:00 - 5:00 pm
July 31
Youth Week starts
Ice Skating in Daytona, times to be announced 

Youth Orientation Week 
 
Calling all rising 6th graders-senior high! Youth Orientation Week will start Sunday July 31st-Aug. 7th. Watch for a letter to come in the mail with all the events we will be doing.

"Cheap Dates" with Mrs. Lori and her helpers will be starting on Thursday nights for the month of July. Times to be announced:
 
July 7th
Movie and Ice Cream Sundaes
July 14th
Bowling at Sunshine Lanes
July 21st
Game Night and food at the church
July 28th
Mini-golf and Berryville

Blessings,
Miss Lori & Mr. Jeff
Mr. Brian and Mr. Frank

Parent-Teacher Appreciation Day at TLC

Trinity Learning Center's children, parents and staff were invited to a special dinner last month, which turned out to be a big hit! An estimated 125 parents, children, staff and members enjoyed the carry-in meal provided by members. (A few parents admitted to never having been to a "pot-luck' dinner before!) Pastor Brian and Lorena greeted them at the door that morning with smiles, a warm welcome, coffee and doughnuts to start their day off right.

VPK (Voluntary pre-kindergarten) graduation also was held last month, with an estimated 130 in attendance.

Cindy Fox and her staff agreed that dinners and special niceties like these events "will go a long way to foster positive and future relations with the parents/guardians who have chosen TLC for their child's care." The Administrative Council also agrees and more parent/staff appreciation events are being planned for the next school year.

EDUCATION/SMALL GROUPS

Got an idea for a new small group? Pastor Brian, Donna Beaty and Anita Campbell recently attended the Florida Annual Conference where they met with hundreds of laity and clergy who shared their ideas for new groups. The conference is now encouraging and supporting churches that are reaching outside the church walls to new target populations through the  Fresh Expressions network.

One innovative idea came from 1st UMC of Miami which has started Yoga Chapel, a unique small group that has attracted a following of both young and old adults (potential members!) to their church. Click  here to watch a video about this exciting initiative. Another idea is to host an "International Dinner" and invite members of local international clubs to bring a specialty dish to share. Following the meal, folks are asked to continue the "new tradition" in different places and in different ways with the goal of building diverse relationships.

Do you have any similar "fresh" ideas about small groups that we could start? If so, contact Pastor Brian; Lay Leader, Dave Griffis; or Lay Delegate, Donna Beaty.

RADICAL HOSPITALITY
NEW Feedback Cards for Worship
 
On June 26th we began to use our        newly-designed feedback cards in place of our old registration pads. These new cards were created by the Hospitality and Worship teams. Information collected by these cards will help us reach out to visitors and keep track of members.  The back of the card also provides a place for prayer concerns that will go to the Prayer Team and a place for feedback regarding the worship experience.
 
If you are a member and miss more than two Sundays in a row, you will be contacted by a member of the Hospitality team to check on you.  So please help us by filling out a card every week!  Every  member of a family will need to fill out a card so we can keep track of individuals.

Visitors will no longer be asked to sign a pad and pass their personal information down a row of strangers. They will be contacted for follow-up, but only if they check the box that indicates their agreement.

This system will be easier for all those involved in keeping track of members and visitors. It also ensures that feedback about the worship experience and prayer concerns are given to the pastor and appropriate teams for action. The card also reminds members to update their contact information if the have an  email, phone or address change which is then corrected in the church database.

We appreciate your support as we strive to be a welcoming and caring church family!
 
EXTRAVAGANT GENEROSITY
Step Out in Faith Update

Our Step Out in Faith capital campaign was highly successful - raising over $1,221,000 (so far) with over 100 families participating - praise God! The Building Committee will meet over the summer with the architect to revise the preliminary designs and create a set of working plans. This is such exciting news!

As a reminder (and to aid our Finance Team in ensuring all monies are appropriately posted to the correct accounts,) please write two separate checks for contributions made to your campaign pledge and church tithe.

If you want more information or want to share your ideas about the building design, contact Building Committee chair, Alex Ford.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Bill Churms

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Psalms 37:23 KJV
                                                                                   
"Innovators are people who go against the grain by taking risks and chasing dreams. They've got the ability to think in a counter-intuitive way." -- Doug Burgum, an ex-Microsoft executive.

Continuing throughout his life, Bill undertook many business deals successfully while remaining in DeLand all his life, except for a stint in the US Navy at age 20. His Navy service taught him work ethics, dedication, and discipline, plus giving him the experience of being assigned to other countries.

After his discharge from the Navy, he returned to DeLand in 1954 and became self-employed in wholesale, selling novelties and sundries. In the meantime he met his wife, Betty, who was a secretary for an Angeline Insurance company. In 1963, he bought the Highway Curb Market on North Woodland. "It was the first one in DeLand," he said. He sold it to Jean and Wayne Buhk, (former Trinity members) in 1974.

Bill then got into the gas and oil business with Terry Acree; they were Phillips distributors until 1986. Next came the Gas-n-Shop convenience stores. They were located in Lake Helen, Orange City, Spring Garden, and two in DeLeon Springs, as well as a Mini Market on Taylor Road. He sold all of them in 1991. At that time Bill and Terry split their partnership. Bill also had four or five "other businesses" during these years. He put out a TV Guide, called TV Screen, along with his brother-in-law, John Tennant. They collected 100 ads. Their first customer was Publix. It was a free service and given out to the customers. They continued for three or four years then finally sold that business to Don Pupello. It eventually became a PennySaver. Bill embarked on a nursery called Garden of 10,000 Plants. From that business he started a cleaning business and marketed a cleaner called SWIPE. "I had 100 people selling that stuff. I had three things going on during the late 60's and 70's," he continued. Finally,from 1992-2012 he was in the brokerage business until Betty died. "Betty helped me a lot. Meeting her was the best thing that ever happened to me. We stayed in the business 20 years."

Bill began attending Trinity in 1946 when Rev. Philpot was the minister. He and Betty joined Trinity in 1954 and they became very active. Bill was on the Finance Committee, Membership Committee, and Faith-in-Action. He ushered for several years and continues to usher today. Betty was encouraged to join the Altar Committee by Polly Philpot and remained a member for 45 years.

In addition to Bill's previous businesses and church activities, Bill supports his favorite team, the University of Florida Gators. He held season football tickets for 60 years, and was proud to say "he never missed a game in 49 years." He and Betty enjoyed the company of Bill and Betty Leveille, Terry and Mary Ellen Acree, Bill and Lossie Hester, David and Polly Gundy and Dr. Bill Pate...sitting together at the football games for over 50 years. Bill also joined the Gator Boosters. Along with football, he enjoys golf, fishing and bowling and he walked 3.6 miles a day for 32 years!

Bill has three sons, Danny, David and Jody, and two grandchildren, Hannah, age 16, and Kaylee, age 14.

June Shearin  

Don't forget to contribute school supplies for our beloved Trinity Learning Center!

Trinity United Methodist Church  386-734-4425  www.trinitydeland.org
306 W. Wisconsin Avenue, DeLand, FL 32720