Trinity Today - monthly e-news and opportunities

will be held Sunday, November 1st at 1:15 pm. Rev. Tom Nelson will chair the annual meeting. All Trinity members are invited to attend. Come hear how 2015 has been a super good year for the church and learn what our leadership has in store for 2016.

Consecration Sunday -

Nov 15

Come one, come all to the Fellowship Hall for our Consecration Sunday Luncheon on November 15th immediately following the 11:00 am service. Together in fun and fellowship, we will celebrate our financial commitment to the Lord's work being done at Trinity UMC. There will be a voluntary donation of $8 per person or $30 per family to cover the cost of the meal catered by River Cities. (Yes, it's our favorite: tender pot roast, chicken, seasoned green beans, red potatoes and more!) Please RSVP to this inspirational event by calling or emailing the Church Office at (386) 734-4425 or [email protected]. com.

Fifth Sunday Offering

Don't forget! This month, a special offering will be collected on the Fifth Sunday, November 29th, which will go to support the Florida United Methodist Children's Home in Enterprise.

Breakfast at Trinity

Due to the holidays, the breakfasts for the last two months of the year will be as follows: Nov 20 and Dec 11. We always welcome new volunteers. Call Lana Saxon or the church office if you can join us.

Pecans are here!

The pecans have arrived and the cost is $9.50 for a 1 pound bag. Be sure to get yours early for they will go fast! Look for the sales table in the Fellowship Hall between worship services or visit the church office during work hours.

Trustees Corner

The Board of Trustees regretfully informs the membership of the need to rid all TUMC buildings of a termite infestation. All buildings on the property will need to be "tented" and fumigated in order to effectively erradicate all pests. The church will be closed the week of December 28-31 for the tenting. To prepare, many furnishings and contents will have to be temporarily moved into rented PODS or protected. This will take a huge volunteer effort, which will be organized by the trustees later in December. The estimated cost to the church will be $18,000 and, because this is an unbudgeted expense, we are asking for contributions to offset the costs. To make a donation, mark your checks with "Fumigation" written in the memo line. For cash contributions, put in an envelope marked "Fumigation."

New Communications Team Forming!

A new Communications Team is being formed and volunteers are needed to design flyers, write, edit and proofread written pieces for our newsletter, Facebook page and website, as well as take pictures and lots more! If you enjoy doing these things and would like to help, contact Anita Campbell, Team
Leader 386-734-9224 or at [email protected]

Pastor-Staff Appreciation Dinner a BIG HIT!

Thank You Letters

The following is part of a letter received from a very grateful Citrus Grove parent and her son:

To All at Trinity.

Thank you is never enough to express how grateful and appreciative I am for the program of "Shoes for Kids." The love and fun my son had on "Sneaker Day" continued in him. He was so excited to show everyone his new shoes and Teddy Bear. He has been sleeping with that Teddy Bear every night. On Tuesday, I asked David if he wanted to wear his new shoes; he answered "no." He said he wanted to wear the old shoes completely out; then he would wear the new ones.

I haven't been able to work for almost 5 years and David having anything new is very hard to do. That's why we both have been blessed by this grant. It allows us all to feel the love of God's people; it allows the children to see that there are people willing to help.

Thank you for Our Blessings.

Denise & David

Is God Calling You to Serve?

"Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received." - 1 Peter 4:10

Our talents are meant to be used to serve our neighbors, but do you know exactly what that means? 2016 will see an increased need for volunteers in all areas of ministry.

If you feel called to do more, pick up a copy of "Trinity Offerings" from the Narthex or the Church Office and peruse the list of Trinity's varied ministries. If something seems to fit your spiritual gifts and talents, pray about it and then contact Pastor Brian at [email protected] or call him at 386-734-4425.

November, 2015

My Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Have you noticed the cooler temperatures overnight? Have you enjoyed those nice, sunny, beautiful skies that aren't too hot? Have you heard those acorns falling out of the trees and crunching under your feet? Have you heard the roar of those motorcycles, the sure signal that Fall is upon us here in Volusia County?

"Put one foot in front of the other and soon you'll be walking 'cross the floor. Put one foot in front of the other and soon you'll be walking out the door. You never get where you're going if you never get up on your feet..." ("Put One Foot In Front of the Other," Burl Ives, Mickey Rooney, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.) No, I'm not intentionally rushing us through Fall on to Christmas by using the lyrics from the classic Christmas cartoon, "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer." I am urging us all, myself included, to take the next step with God, to keep in step with the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:25).

"Taking the Next Step" is the name of our stewardship emphasis this Fall which really won't be an emphasis on stewardship at all but an emphasis on extravagant generosity. We will all be encouraged to notice God's extravagant generosity poured out on us in so many ways and at the same time, our generous response to God's extravagant generosity. You may have already begun to receive mailings about "Taking the Next Step."

"Taking the Next Step" will culminate on Sunday, November 15, during our two worship services when we will be invited to respond to God's extravagant generosity with our own. Immediately following the 11:00 worship service we will hold our annual Consecration Luncheon including a delicious catered lunch which always receives rave reviews. The cost for the catered meal will be $ 8 per person or $ 30 per family. You will need to make your reservations by either marking the attendance pad during worship or calling/emailing the church office at (386) 734-4425, [email protected] no later than Tuesday, November 10.

Thank you so much! I now invite you to take a look at all of the wonderful ways that God is working through us here at Trinity by reading this month's newsletter. Welcome! May GOD richly bless you as you richly bless all those around you.

Pastor Brian

Outreach Ministries

Faith in Action/Christ's Closet/Walk-in-Ministry

Thank you to everyone who has donated soup, underwear, socks, or peanut butter the first three Sundays in October. As you may know, Christ's Closet has started a new system for donations. We are now asking for weekly donations for specific items instead of handing out the red bags on the fourth Sunday of the month. If, at any time, you wish to donate additional items, please feel free to do so. Red bags are still available for pickup from the ushers or at Christ's Closet. You may also drop off your items during the week at the Closet.

In the month of September, we served 360 families, which included 536 adults and 266 children. Fifty-four of these families were new to our system. We were able to provide them with food, clothing, and hygiene items. We were also able to help them with prescriptions, insulin, and fuel for camp stoves and grills, along with gas and bus passes to get them to medical visits and job interviews.

With the colder weather closing in on us, please remember our patrons when you are digging out your winter clothing. Christ's Closet can use winter coats, hats, scarves, gloves, and boots. If you have any extra blankets, small tarps, or rain ponchos you are not using, please send them to the Closet.

Thanks to Dave Ross, we were able to offer our clients frozen meat products. Dave braved the 10° freezer at Second Harvest and was able to get some wonderful deals. Our clients definitely appreciated receiving the meat. More frozen food items could be distributed, but our freezer space is limited, so a new, larger freezer is definitely on our Christmas wish list!


November 1	Canned Meat
November 8	Canned Fruit
November 15	Canned Vegetables
November 22	Pasta/Rice/Sauce
November 29	Hygiene Products

Thanksgiving Dinner to be held at Trinity

Have you ever wondered or been concerned about folks who do not have a place to go for a family gathering and meal on Thanksgiving? Well, wonder no more. This year, Trinity UMC will host a Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, November 26th, in the Fellowship Hall from 12:30 to 2:30 pm. Plans are to have a sit-down, served meal to our guests. This event is open to Trinity members and our special Walk-In Ministry guests.

RSVPs are required. Contact the Church Office or see Steve and Karin Roland.

Karin and Steve are coordinating the event. They need money to purchase turkeys and other perishable food items, manpower to set up the hall several days in advance, cooks to prepare foods (both at home and at church), and volunteers to serve as greeters, servers, quick set-up folks (to turn over tables and reset place settings,) runners and more.

If you do not have plans to be with your families this Thanksgiving, come join us. You will be blessed from the experience! Call or email Karin and Steve at (717) 413-9288 or [email protected] for more information and to sign up.

Sneakers 4 Kids

As of October 12, all sneakers - 59 pairs of them - were given out to the designated children through Ms. Copes, Guidance Counselor at Citrus Grove Elementary. Only two parents politely refused our gift. We have swapped quite a few pairs for different sizes. Hopefully, this won't happen again since we will borrow the shoe measuring implements next time before we buy the shoes.

In the coming months, as Ms. Copes sees a need, she will compile another list. Then we will go shopping again as we still have funds to get more! Thank you again, Trinity, for all your donations toward this project. The Alice Lockmiller Grant and your contributions provided many children with safe, sturdy sneakers. The Florida Conference has written an article on our project. Check it out! http://www.flumc.org/localchurchnewsdetail/2262095

Lana Saxon, Project Coordinator

Meet Our New Members

DENNY AND SALLY HANSEN

Our roots are planted in the rich, black soil of Illinois where Denny and I grew up. We became Florida transplants in 1974. For most of our married life, we lived in Gainesville. Read more...

ROBERT AND SHIRLEY HALL

Robert was born in Philadelphia then moved to Baltimore, where he attended school. He served four years in the Navy during the Korean War. After the war, Read more...

THE MCTYER FAMILY

Kitwana McTyer currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at the Florida United Methodist Children's Home. The new job is what brought them from Ruston, Louisiana to Florida. Read more...

STEPHEN AND LINDSAY LOWREY

Stephen is originally from Port St. Joe, Florida, which is located in the panhandle area. He is a senior account manager for Preferred Materials Read more...

DIANE RYAN

Diane Ryan was born in Atlanta. Before moving to Florida, Diane lived in Macon, Georgia for 39 years. She is the mother of two grown, married sons Read more...

LINDA AND CECIL CHESTER

Linda and Cecil met in Las Vegas, Nevada and were married on December 20, 1964, so they just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last year. As soon as they were married, Read more...

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

This is a reprint and update on Debbie Bennett from February 2008

"For the tree is known and judged by its fruit."

- Matthew 12:33

Debbie Bennett is dependable, conscientious and a bundle of energy. Besides her church and community involvement, her family has a menagerie of animals at home. At my first visit in '08, she had 1 donkey, 2 potbelly pigs, 3 goats, 2 hogs, 2 chickens and 2 cats. Today, she has 3 miniature donkeys, 1 potbelly pig, 3 cats and a dog! Click here to read full article

		A CALL TO PRAYER
____________________________ YEAR-END GIVING OPPORTUNITIES		___________________________ PLEASE JOIN US FOR A TIME OF PRAYER
As we approach the end of 2015, please consider making a special gift to our Building Fund, or an area of ministry that is close to your heart. Your gift...		Friday, Nov. 13th in the sanctuary from 6 am to 6 pm and Saturday, Nov. 14 in the comfort of your home from 6 pm to 6 am.
Can create a lasting memory for a loved one who has died Can establish a legacy when you include Trinity in your will or living trust May allow you to give more while eliminating taxes that may deplete assets, like excess retirement finds, pension plans or IRAs May be funded by stocks, bonds, or mutual funds May be funded by donating funds from insurance policies purchased to protect a loved one who no longer needs that protection.		We want to be fully immersed in prayer as we make our decision about "Taking the Next Step" in giving beck to our extraordinary God. His gracious goodness to us deserves our best in return, indeed. A sign-up chart will be made available in convenient locations for you to commit to at least one half to one hour spent in meditation on Friday and Saturday, November 13th and 14th.
All gifts of any size are sincerely appreciated and tax-deductible under IRS rules. Consult your tax or legal advisor before making such a gift.		Helpful suggestions for spending time in prayer will be provided to you for home settings or at church - both in quiet, comfortable and peaceful surroundings.
Want you like more information? Contact Pastor Carr or Trinity's Planned Giving Team leader, Anita Campbell at [email protected].		As someone once said, "Prayer is powerful and changes conditions of our hearts." Won't you come and delight in this intimate time with our Lord?
		Carolyn Harner Prayer Coordinator "Taking the Next Step Team"

HARVEST ALTAR

On Sunday, November 22, the Harvest Altar Offering of non-perishable food items will be used for both the Thanksgiving Dinner meal and to stock our Food Pantry. Bring your cans of green beans, cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes to the church that morning and place them around the altar in thanks for your many blessings.

CHRISTMAS IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!

The first Sunday is Advent is November 22, and Christmas will soon be here! If you are interesting in volunteering along with members of the Worship Team in decorating the sanctuary, we will meet on Tuesday, November 24th from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. To learn more, contact Conya Hartman, team leader, by calling or emailing her at

[email protected]

Women's Ministry

An Open Letter to the Women of Trinity

Dear Sisters in Christ,

The times they are always a-changing and our United Methodist Women's (UMW) organization is no different, for we must always be aware of and adapt to the changing needs of Trinity's women. The Executive Board of the UMW has determined that the current structure of our unit may no longer meet the needs of women in the church. Consequently, a planning meeting will be held on Monday, November 9th at 10 am in the Fellowship Hall to explore ways to "re-engineer" the current structure of our women's circles/groups. All women of the church are invited to attend. We hope to develop new goals and create a society that will attract new and younger women, develop new leaders for the church, spiritually feed women in ways that will be most beneficial to them, encourage fellowship and camaraderie, and continue working for the rights of women and children by combating injustice and poverty - not only in DeLand but around the world. Please join us for this very important planning session. If you have questions, do not hesitate to contact me at (386) 738-2759 or [email protected].

Grace and Peace,

Lucy Halavin, Trinity UMW President

Youth Ministry

Quote for November:

"To find joy in work is to discover

the fountain of youth."

Pearl S. Buck

During this time of Thanksgiving, I want to say that I am thankful for all the youth, parents, and volunteers. We could not have a successful youth program without Pastor Brian, Mr. Jeff, Mrs. Lori, Mrs. Conya, Mr. Brian, Mr. Frank, Chris, Kali, and Angel.

Blessings,

Mrs. Lori

UPCOMING DATES:

Novenber 1	No Youth, due to Halloween
November 8	Regular Youth 3-5 pm
November 11	Veterans Day Lunch with Mrs. Lori, meet at noon
November 15	Movie and Popcorn 3-5 pm
November 22	Game night and pizza rolls, 3-5 pm
November 29	No Youth due to Thanksgiving


CHUCK KNOWS CHURCH VIDEO ON "STEWARDSHIP" In some congregations, the word stewardship is all about how the church gets money to pay the bills, and that is a shame. Stewardship is about so much more. Watch this engaging video to learn how the committee members at Chuck's church learn the difference. Click here for video	Office Angels Needed! We are currently looking for volunteer "Office Angels" to sit in the church office if Lori is away. It consists of answering the phones and opening the side door with a monitor bell. Days needed are Monday through Thursday from 8:30 am to 12:00 noon. If you would like to volunteer or would like more information, please contact the Church Secretary, Lori Jones, at (386) 734-4425 or email her at [email protected].	FALL FESTIVAL UPDATE Whoo-hoo!! The Annual Fall Festival raised nearly $14,000! Antiques and Collectibles Committee sends a big THANK YOU to everyone who donated wonderful items to our rooms at the 2015 Fall Festival. We had the largest array of quality merchandise ever! We were so pleased to present your treasures to our shoppers, and your generosity will allow us to support Trinity's mission programs in a most handsome fashion. Sent in Christian love, Harriet Bolin

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

Trinity Today, our e-newsletter, is published the first of every month. The deadline for submitting articles to the Church Office is the 20th of every month. Articles received after that date may not be published. News can be submitted to the Church Secretary in hard-copy form or by email at [email protected].