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

In This Issue
Birthdays
 
Mar 1 Hubert Talton
Mar 2 Sharon Lyster
Mar 2 Samantha Lilly
Mar 3 Steven Gagnier
Mar 4 Edward Hencinski
Mar 6 Peggy Ferrara
Mar 7 Barbara Brunning
Mar 7 David Wall
Mar 7 Russ McGehee
Mar 8 Eva Jerome
Mar 8 Ralph Baker
Mar 8 Ryan James
Mar 10 Thomas Adams
Mar 12 Joseph Churms
Mar 14 Elizabeth Jackson
Mar 14 James Cole
Mar 15 Arnon Clemente
Mar 18 Geraldine Shepard
Mar 20 Mary Gilmore
Mar 22 Brian Smith
Mar 22 Aria Brunning
Mar 24 Judy Ward
Mar 27 Spencer Salinetro
Mar 28 Robert Sisk
Mar 28 Roy Hall
Mar 29 William Cunningham
Mar 29 Conya Hartman
Mar 30 Abigail Moor
Mar 30 Riley Wasdin
Mar 31 Carolyn Nicholson

Anniversaries

Mar 3 David & Jennifer Griffis
26 yrs
Mar 4
Mike & Kim Pertler
16 yrs
Mar 10 Dick & Barbara Brunning
65 yrs
Mar 17 Howard & Joanne Osterhouse - 49 yrs
Mar 17 Bill & Anne Welsheimer
65 yrs
Mar 18
Ed & Louise O'Quinn
21 yrs
Mar 23 Troy & Jennifer Panda
21 yrs
Mar 25
Bob & Sandy Allinson
27 yrs
Mar 28
Lee & Beth Britton
52 yrs
Mar 29
Frank & Lu Knight
38 yrs


Happy Easter to all our members and friends!

9:00 a.m. - Saturday, March 19
for children ages 3-11
Bring your kids and grands to the church for games, activities, snacks and fun! See Lori Hansard for details.
The house on the Plymouth Avenue property will soon be demolished. The air conditioning unit was removed from the property and re-installed in the Chapel. The appliances, fixtures, and other contents were donated to the Neighborhood Center; they will put them to good use.

Our new maintenance worker, Miro Pamoukov, will be cleaning carpets throughout the church in the coming days. He has been doing a good job of keeping things tidy.

The Church work day scheduled for March 5th has been postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date. The Trustees' next meeting will be March 2nd.

Charlie Daniels
Something More

Our newest worship experience,
Something More, is quickly becoming a popular place to meet, greet, eat, worship, sing, dance and lift up our Lord in praise and thanksgiving, so c ome join us!

The next Something More will be held on Tuesday, March 8th beginning at 6 p.m. with a Pot-Luck Dinner.
 


Our Strategic Planning Meeting was a resounding success, thanks to the more than 60 individuals who attended! Facilitators, Mark and Nancy Morgan, were extremely pleased with the level of interest, enthusiasm and participation. This highly-skilled couple took us through a deep (and fun!) exploration of issues, wants and needs based on the Five Practices of a Fruitful Congregation (passionate worship, radical hospitality, intentional discipleship, salty service and extravagant generosity.)

Very soon, we will have a written document - a five-year "master plan" clearly showing us the direction and path (on which) we all have agreed to walk together.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Thanks to everyone who participated.

John Campbell, Council Chair
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

Due to Easter, Breakfast at Trinity will be held on Friday, March 18 from 9:30 -11:15 a.m. We have over 30 volunteers who help serve breakfast to those in our community who need a hand up, and we welcome others who would like to serve.

After our neighbors are finished eating, they may get two take-outs per person. Along with meeting their physical needs, Pastor Brian shares a beautiful devotional and prayer. Call Lana Saxon for more information.

Stephen Ministry News

For info, contact Lori Hansard at  lgjbhansard@totcon.com .


Human Trafficking Awareness Night

Circle May 19 on your calendar. At 6:30-8:00 p.m. that night, the United Methodist Women will be seeking to make you more aware of the human trafficking epidemic that is worldwide. That means it's in the United States and in our local community.

Surprised? Surprising is the fact that many women, possibly even children, are brought to Daytona to be available for sex during the various racing events. The city of Orlando has a whole day devoted to trafficking each year. Orange City United Methodist has started its own Hope Team, which meets monthly to work on this theme.

Northland Church in Longwood began 121Hope last year, discussing and working on this initiative. Abi Mills, who started this ministry at Northland, said "Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery. Victims of human trafficking are subjected to force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of commercial sex, debt bondage or forced labor. It is a crime that happens all over the world."

Trinity's Awareness Night will focus on international, national, and local trafficking. That's a lot to cover in an hour and a half. Those of us who are working on this project are finding out that it could take months to learn all there is to know. Join us for dessert at 6:30 before the program begins.

THIS AWARENESS SESSION IS VITAL. IT AFFECTS OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN, OUR NEIGHBORS, AND OUR FRIENDS.

For more in-formation, contact Melissa Fuller, UMW Leader, at  fuller_b@bellsouth.net .
Sneakers 4 Kids Update

Lana Saxon, project coordinator, has been in contact with the Guidance Counselor at Citrus Grove Elementary School who has shared the names of 20 children in need of sneakers. The school will send out a letter to the parents of these children letting them know of our intent and ask their permission. (This letter also has to be translated into Spanish.)

An employee from Shoe Carnival, who is also a parent at Citrus Grove, will measure the students for the correct size. Then it will be time for us to go purchase the sneakers!

Thanks, again, to the Alice Lockmiller Endowment of the Florida Methodist Conference for their grant of $1500 and Trinity members and friends who more than doubled that amount with personal contributions.

Not Getting Our  Communications ?

Not getting our e-newsletter or Pastor Brian's daily Carrdiography? To get on our email lists you can look for the "Join Our Mailing List" link at the bottom of this newsletter or text the letters  JOINTUMC  and send to 22828.
 
Also, we are now making telephone calls to remind members and friends of upcoming events. If you are not getting a call, please check with the Church Office to ensure that the number we have on file for you is correct. Thank you!


My Dear Sisters and Brothers,

I hope and pray all is well with you, your families and all GOD has entrusted to you. Can you believe we are already entering into March? Can you believe that we are already halfway through Lent? I know I sound like a broken record. I kind of feel like one, too. The speed of passing time must be directly proportional to one's age past a certain point. Maybe that point is forty or maybe even upon the arrival of that first child, then the speed of time seems to increase exponentially with the passing of each day to almost the speed of light.

As I get older I do realize with more and more urgency just how important it is to make the most of every single moment. Each day is a glorious gift from God. Are we making the most of that gift? Are we unwrapping it with gusto and joy and wringing every last drop of life out of it or are we unwrapping it and throwing it in the corner where it gathers cosmic dust?

Our church has lost seven beloved members since December, less than two months ago. All seven of these beloved lived life to its fullest: Eugene McCray, Herb Nerge, Violet Snodgrass, Pat Atchley, Marguerite Nerge, Connie Gregory and Bill Latham. I mention these departed saints to you enduring saints mainly so that you will keep their loved ones in your prayers. Diane Ryan sent me a poem written by her son Storman, who is a Baptist minister up in Georgia. It seems so appropriate for this moment in the life of our church that I want to share it with you:

Lord, how can I continue on?
As so many brothers and sisters are gone?
I look around and see so many empty chairs,
I want to cry but I have no tears.
My Lord you tell me not to fear,
But I have a question, not so much a fear.
How many more will be gone by this time next year?
Those that serve you with all of their heart,
Those that you have chosen to depart.
When will it be my turn to see those pearly gates?
I just want to know how long will I have to wait?
What did you say, Lord? You have work for me to do?
And I cannot leave until I am through?
Then, Lord, I ask you to give me the strength to start anew.
Bring your Holy Spirit upon me to draw men to you.
Lord, I trust in your Amazing Grace;
I will wait to see your wonderful face.
But let me not waste one more day
That I can show others your loving way.
I am the way, the truth and the life is your claim.
Help me to seek your glory and not my fame.
Let your light so shine through me,
That all mankind may see,
That from the tree of life, to the crystal sea,
You are the Master of Eternity.


Pastor Storman Glass

May GOD richly bless you all as you live, love and lead like Jesus in a world gone out of control and rushing through life at the speed of light.
Pastor Brian
PASSIONATE WORSHIP
Sermon Series  for Lent 

Join us on our Lenten journey as we seek to grow closer to God. Share with us our wonder at the gift that God gave us through Jesus Christ, and explore basic questions of life and faith through Pastor's Brian's sermon series "Wandering and Wondering: A Lenten Journey."  We look forward to seeing you soon!

Sermon  Topics  for March
 
Mar 6

Fourth Sunday in Lent:

"A Reason to Party, A Reason to Pout"

Mar 13

Fifth Sunday in Lent:

"Our Choice: Devotion or Rejection"

Mar 20

Passion/Palm Sunday:

"An Eternal Hosanna"

Mar 27

Easter Sunday:

"Terror, Disbelief, Nonsense or Truth?"

Easter Cross Flowers
 
On Easter Sunday, if you would like to participate, please bring cut flowers and place them on the Easter cross located in front of the church.
Worship Team News

Come be a part of Easter Week Services at Trinity!

Mar 20 Palm Sunday services 8:30 & 11 am
Mar 24
Maundy Thursday (Tenebrae) Service
7:00 pm
Mar 25 Good Friday service 7:00 pm
Mar 27
Easter Sunrise service
(2629 Alhambra at Hontoon)
6:45 am
Mar 27 Easter Sunday services 8:30 & 11 am

In addition to the choir singing for Holy Week services, some of the group will also participate in a community service, A Living Last Supper recreation. Our own Bob Sollien will portray Peter in it. The service will be held at the Athens Theatre on Wednesday, March 23rd at 7:00 and 8:30 p.m. The event is free, but tickets are needed to attend. Trinity will have some tickets available for pick up in the office.

Carla Rhoderick, Worship Team Coordinator

Easter Breakfast to benefit Youth Ministry & Mission

The Kitchen Committee, along with Trinity's youth, will serve a hot breakfast on Easter Sunday from 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Cost is by donation. There will be no Sunday School classes that day so that everyone can enjoy the good food and fellowship. All contributions will be used by the youth for their summer Mission Trip, so please make plans to join us and help support them!
INTENTIONAL DISCIPLING
Holy Week

Holy Week is the last week of Lent, the week immediately preceding Easter. It is observed in many Christian churches as a time to commemorate and enact the suffering (Passion) and death of Jesus Christ. Watch this Chuck Knows Church episode to get a better understanding of each day in the week.  Click here to watch!

Youth News

"Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference."
 
March 6th
Regular Youth 3-5
March 13th
Crop Walk
March 19th
Easter Egg Hunt
March 20th
Regular Youth 3-5
March 27th
Easter-No Youth

The Crop Walk will support Interfaith Caregivers this year. Twenty-Five percent of the proceeds will be given to them in support of the Kitchen that serves meals Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday nights to the homeless and marginally poor. The Kitchen is located in the basement of First United Methodist Church's Education Building. Youth are asked to meet at 1:45 at First United Methodist Church. To sponsor our youth group, contact Lori Hansard by clicking here.

The Easter Egg Hunt is for children ages three years old to fifth grade. Come help with activities, such as crafts, snack, story-time, and the egg hunt!

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

The Together Sunday School Class in will begin reading and exploring the insights of Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-45) in his book Life Together. Bonhoeffer, in the United States for a brief visit from Germany, rejected the suggestion of friends to stay. He believed he could not remain safe in comfort when fellow Christians in Nazi Germany were so severely threatened.

He returned to take his place in the "Confessing Church" - a church composed of Christians who refused to compromise with the Nazi regime and spoke against it. Bonhoeffer led an underground seminary until it was closed by the Gestapo. In 1943, he was implicated in a plot to overthrow Hitler and imprisoned. He continued a ministry to fellow captives and included concern for his guards, many of whom grew to cherish him. Two days before the Allied liberation of the prison in which he was kept, he was hung by Hitler's SS.  Life Together  and The Cost of Discipleship  are his two most influential books. For more info, contact class leader, Tom Cunningham at lloydthomascunningham@gmail.com.

RADICAL HOSPITALITY

 Our new Hospitality Team will hold an organizational meeting Monday, March 7 at 6:00 p.m. Each of us has a role in making our church a more welcoming community, whether it is identifying and welcoming Sunday visitors, delivering small thank you gifts, developing welcome packets, or serving as ushers, greeters and ambassadors.

If you would like to be part of the team, contact Dave Ross at rossd48@gmail.com.
 
SALTY SERVICE
Calling all Trinity "Angels" 

Trinity Angels (formerly known as the Shepherding Program) is looking for individuals who feel called to serve others. Please prayerfully consider being part of the Angels. We help out individuals/families who may need a little tender, loving care from some special folks. Assistance can be in the form of help getting to an appointment, respite care, help with yard work or light housework. Maybe all somebody needs or wants is just a listening ear. Whatever the need, the Angels can use your loving and caring hearts to help others.There is also involvement within the church where Angels could be most helpful: writing out birthday cards, get well cards, or sympathy cards to church members, ushering at funerals or assisting with many other church functions. For more info, please email Debra Wood at dwood52@bellsouth.net.  Thank you and God Bless!

Debra Wood, team coordinator

Faith in Action

Life has been busy at Christ's Closet. During the month of February, we served 371 families, 35 of which were new clients. We were able to provide them with food, clothing, hygiene products, prescriptions, gas for medical visits or job interviews, and fuel for cooking and heating. We are blessed to be a part of such a loving congregation. Without donations from our congregation, we would not be able to help these people.

One of our clients who is receiving hospice care was able to come in to see us today. As Cari was leaving the Closet, she turned to me and said, "I will see you next week, hopefully. If not, I just want you to know how very appreciative I am for all you have done for me." She then stated, "It is scary. When I am here, I act like this, but when I'm home, I'm scared. But the Good Lord has plans for me." Please pray for Cari as she lives out the rest of her life. Click here to read more.
EXTRAVAGANT GENEROSITY
Food Donations for March

Week One
- peanut butter
Week Two - soups
Week Three - cereals
Week Four - hygiene products

We are asking that members no longer donate corn, green beans, macaroni and cheese or canned pasta. Our clients do not care for these items and they have a relatively short shelf life.
 
Thank you.
Steve & Karin Roland
Step Out in Faith Campaign News

On Sunday, February 21st, the
Step Out in Faith Capital Campaign Leadership Team was introduced by Steering Committee Chairpersons, Bob and Becky Kellogg. Each gave a passionate plea for all of Trinity's members and friends to join with them in this exciting venture:

1) Pray daily and diligently for Trinity United Methodist Church as we take this journey together.

2) If you are contacted by a team member and asked to help with the campaign, please respond with an enthusiastic "YES!"

3) Over the next few months, prayerfully consider what God wants your sacrificial campaign gift to be.

As we move along on this spiritual journey, if you have questions about the new facility, the campaign or the types of gifts that will be needed, Bob and Becky stand ready to discuss with you at any time. Check the church website for updated information, as well.
Step Out in Faith Capital Campaign Video

The  Step Out in Faith campaign is underway and we would like to hear from members who are willing to appear in a video offering personal testimony about what Trinity means to you and your family. Can you think of a moment or event at church when you felt that God was encouraging you to "step out in faith?" What are your feelings about the future of our church? And why do you feel that a new facility is needed? If you feel passionately about these things, we would love to record you so that will inspire and encourage others. Please contact Don Brunning at dbshark94@yahoo.com to discuss and sign-up!

Karen Averill
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Karen Averill


Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established -- Proverbs 4:26 KJ

A busy and vivacious Karen (Taylor) Averill was born in Big Chimney, West Virginia, but grew up in DeLand where she graduated from DeLand High School and "couldn't wait to leave to pursue her dream of travel and aviation," she said. She spent the next 35 years in the aviation industry (Eastern, Pan Am, Air Florida, Cayman Airways), having served more than 20 years as a senior human resources executive. She also served on the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) representing Cayman Airways during Hurricane Ivan, 2004.  Click here to read more.

Susanna Circle

Susanna Circle meets on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. On March 14, we will hear from Anita Campbell's sister-in-law about a new national nonprofit she started called the  American Civility Association.

This program, which got its start in a Jacksonville UM church, is in public schools in three Florida counties. ACA is dedicated to improving the lives of children and their families by combating risk factors like bullying, rudeness and incivility by teaching kindness, respect and manners. It has made a significant change in the lives of children and their teachers are loving it!

Here is a link to an article in the Florida UM Conference website which featured this exciting new nonprofit: American Civility Association.

We welcome you if you would like to join us. Call or email Lana Saxon at  lanasax@yahoo.com  to learn more.

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