M A Y 2 0 1 7

Steeple TalkTrinity Presbyterian Church Santa Cruz

From the Pastor 1

Session 2

Things That Make Us Happy 3

Non-Prophet Corner 4

AFC Gala 5

Book Club 6

May Calendar 7

Sunday Saints 8

Meetings:Deacons’ Meeting,May 7, 11:30 a.m.,

LibrarySession Meeting, May 9, 5:30 p.m.,

Fireside RoomW.C.E. Meeting, May 9 11:00 a.m.,

Fireside RoomMission Meeting, May 30, 3:00 p.m.,

Fireside RoomDates to Remember:

Bible Study,May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

1:00 p.m., Fireside RoomU.F.O. Fellowship,

May 2 & 16,9:00 a.m., Youth Room

Sweet Pea Group,May 13 & 27,

9:00 a.m., Youth RoomNewsletter Articles Due

May 30

Spring Reflections Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play

in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul – John Muir

El Capitan and the Merced River in Yosemite National Park. Photo by David Gomez https://gomezdphoto.smugmug.com/Prints/Trinity/n-KfjHfv/

From the time I was a small child Yosemite National Park has been a place my family and I would go, “to play, to pray, to heal and find strength for body and soul.” But we needn’t even go that far to find those special places where we may walk, ride or sit and feel the renewing presence of God through the beauty of God’s creation around us, especially here in Santa Cruz! I am writing this article for our May edition of the Steepletalk on Earth Day 2017, April 22. I came across the quote above, by John Muir, on the Presbyterians for Earth Care blog (presbyearthcare.blogspot.com) as I was doing some reading and reflecting on Earth Day and what it means. Earth Day began on April 22, 1970, and has become a day to voice our concerns and express our gratitude for this planet we call home.

For me, as a person of faith, Earth Day reminds me again of how my words and actions matter with regard to the care for God’s creation. As we move through our days this beautiful, colorful spring season may we cherish those places (and people!) who help us to heal and give us places to grow in body and soul. And may we use our gifts to care for this beautiful planet we share.

In Faith, Evie

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Financial Report January-April 2017

Income $150,039 Expense $ 93,173 Net $ 56,866

Session Meeting of April 11, 2017A quorum being present, the Moderator opened the meeting at 5:30 p.m. with prayer. Committee reports included the following: Personnel: The committee is currently up-dating Maggie Barnes’s job description to include the additional duties she has taken on as Administrative Assistant. Administrative: Automatic payments for the congregation and automatic paycheck deposits for staff are being investigated. In addition, the committee recommended that groups hosting monthly functions use either paper or recyclable products. Russ Hobbs met with the Mutual Insurance Co. agent to walk around the church grounds and make recommendations. Mission: Jeff and Christi Boyd, our missionaries to Cameroon, will visit on August 20, 2017. A luncheon will follow worship to honor them. The committee is also planning to hold a Special Giving Campaign through the PCUSA’s Mission Agency. Worship and Christian Education: Charlie May is looking forward to forming and leading a youth group. Conversation continues around the possibility of hosting a discussion series on Racism/Racists Anonymous. A pastor in the East Bay has created such a program and the committee would like to further explore bringing the conversation to Trinity. Next Session meeting is on Tuesday, May 9, 2017.

I would like to thank everyone at Trinity for making Tom’s memorial service so special. I know it was a busy week, but everything turned out perfectly!

Thanks to Evie and Nicki for helping plan it. Thanks to the choir, Gary and Jennie, and Richard for the lovely music. Thank you, Ellen, for the beautiful flowers. Thanks to Pete, and to all who helped with the

reception. I feel blessed to have you all as my church family. -Karen Wichelmann

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May Birthdays2 Mary Blanchard, Kostas Spalaris 3 Harry Blanchard 5 Bob McCarroll 6 Veronica Christie 7 Carolyn Brothers 8 Greg Blackwell 23 Jennie Edwards 27 Ron Posey 29 Jesse May 31 Patricia Parshall

May Anniversaries25 Jake & Kathleen Eschen-Pipes 29 Reed & Sunshine Duffus

Ifyoudon’tseeyourspecialdatelisted,pleasecallthechurchof5ice,831-423-8995andletusknow!

Visit us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trinity-Presbyterian-Church/135556766517

Things That Make Us Happy . . .• To hear that Shane Carle made the majors!

Shane pitched his first major league baseball game for the Colorado Rockies on April 13 against the San Francisco Giants. Shane is the grandson of Ann Carle and nephew of Greg and Debbie Blackwell.

• To celebrate Easter Sunday at Trinity. Special thanks to Harry and Mary Blanchard for once again hosting the Easter Sunrise Service, to Ellen Bauerle for preparing and arranging the flowers and to all who helped set up chairs, share food, hide Easter eggs, practice music, prepare the sanctuary and help all of us celebrate the joy of Easter day.

• To see 13 new copies of the Presbyterian Hymnal in our pews. Marta Narus’ former congregation in Illinois, Southminster Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn, donated the hymnals to Trinity.

• To see that members and friends of Trinity Presbyterian Church donated $3,914.04 for the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering.

Calling All GraduatesIf you or someone in your family is graduating from middle school, high school, or college this spring please contact the church office and let us know. We will list all graduates in an upcoming newsletter and share the good news!

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The Non-Prophet CornerDarrellW.Yeaney,ParishAssociate

“The Impossible Possibility - 2”

“So,whatdidyoumeanbydescribingyourcurrentbeliefinGodasan‘impossiblePossibility?’”Theinquirywasgenuine,seriousandgraciouslyaskedbyonememberofourcongregationwhohadreadmylast“Non-ProphetCorner”column.Iwasgladforthequestionandwilltrytorespondhere. AsIreadandre5lectontheBiblicalstoryoftheperhaps2000yearlongdevelopingfaith-lifeoftheHebrewpeoplethatledtotheemergenceofthe5ledglingChristiancommunityinthe5irstCenturyCE,itisapparentthattheirunderstandingofGodre5lectedtheirpre-scienti5icworld-view.TheHebrewsunderstoodGodfromtheviewpointofanancienttribalperspectivewhichsawtheworldas“three-decked”-a5latearthwithaheavenabovetheskypopulatedbyangelsandmanygodswithonecalledYHWH(Yahweh)asthemostpowerful,andaGhenna(Hell)undertheearthwherethedevilorSatanruledwithhisdemonicminions. LatertheChristianChurchadoptedthissameview,developeditsdoctrinesofGodandredemptiononthisviewandenforceditsmemberstoagreeonpainofexcommunication,persecutionorevendeath.Thencametheearlyscienti5icastronomersofthe16thCentury,NicolausCopernicusofPolandandGalileoGalilieofItaly,whodiscoveredtheheliocentricrealitythatthreatenedtheChristianChurch’sperspectiveofGodandtheworld.Theyescapedexcommunicationandpossible

deathonlythroughsilenceorpublicretractionofwhattheyknewtobetrue. Today,theadvanceofcosmologicalandpsychologicalsciencehasdispelledallofthepossiblereligiousperspectivesofaliteral,objective,personalGodwholives“above”oroutsideouruniverseandwhointervenesat“his”ownpleasure,orarbitrarilyatourindividualrequests. Yet,the“leapoffaith”thatisessentialtogivehumanlifemeaning,purpose,andhopeinthemidstofdisappointment,tragedy,violence,deathandtheapparent“happenstance”oflifeina15billionyearold,continuallyexpandingcosmos,bringsustothe“ImpossiblePossibility”thatguidedJesusofNazareth. Jesus’spre-scienti5iccultureallowedhimtorefertoGodas“heavenlyfather”whiletheApostlePaulwasseeingbeyondhistimewheninAthenshespokeofGodasthe“oneinwhomweliveandmoveandhaveourbeing.” ButtheimagesI5indthataremostappropriatetoourtimeare“Spirit”and“agapeLove”whichevokethedeepestmysteryandmiracleofhumanlife.I5indthismysteryandmiracleof“TheImpossiblePossibility”hopeful,excitingandinspiringmetoliveinandworktowardafullyhumanandhumaneworld.AndIamchallengedbytheprayerthatweChristiansareinvitedtoprayeachSunday:“ThyKingdomcomeonearthasitisinheaven,”–animpossiblepossibility.

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Office HoursThe office will be closed Thursday, May 4 - Tuesday, May 16. Open Wednesday, May 17 - Friday, May 19.

Portable CD/Tape Player NeededThe Trinity Sunday School classes are in need of a portable CD/Tape player to use in both children’s and adult classes from time to time. If you have one you are no longer using and would like to donate to the church please contact the church office or Ellen Bauerle. Thank you!

Association of Faith Communities GalaThe Association of Faith Communities (AFC) of Santa Cruz County announces a Gala Celebration and fundraiser at Peace United Church of Christ, 900 High Street, Santa

Cruz to benefit the Association’s programs that include the Faith Community Shelter (FCS) and the Emergency Winter Shelter. The celebration is scheduled for Friday May 12, from 6:00 – 9:00. Dinner will be served along with entertainment, auction items, raffle and a progress report. Dessert and

wine is included and spirits will be available for purchase. Cost is $65 per person or $500 for a table of eight. Please call Paul Seever at 440-9018 or email him at pseever@prodigy.net for ticket information and reservations. The mission of the Faith Community Shelter is to provide shelter, meals and a source of community to unhoused Santa Cruz County residents, while assisting them to obtain needed services and permanent housing. Trinity Presbyterian is a member of AFC and contributes to the shelter program by providing space and meals every Wednesday night.

4th Tuesday Lunch to Feature Santa Cruz State ParksSanta Cruz State Parks Community Outreach Director Jorge Savala will bring updated information about our 33 Santa Cruz area State Parks to help all with summer visitation plans. Our own Children's Preschool will provide entertaining songs by the cute little ones. Come, bring a friend, and enjoy a fine lunch by Nancy Cheney, an interesting program, and fun music. Remember the 4th Tuesday is May 23rd, not the Last Tuesday!

BBQ Luncheon The Fellowship Committee will be sponsoring a BBQ luncheon with pot luck salads following worship on May 21. Come and enjoy Pete’s BBQ and bring your favorite salad to share!

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SundayA.A. 8-9 p.m., Fellowship Hall

MondayA.A. 8-9 p.m., Youth Room

TuesdayUFO Fellowship (Every first and third Tuesday) 9:00 a.m., - noon, Youth RoomOA 1-2 p.m., Youth RoomA.A. 5:30-6:30 p.m., Fellowship HallBoy Scouts 7:30 p.m., Fellowship Hall

WednesdayOA 10:30-11:30 a.m., Youth RoomProgressive Christian Forum (Every first Wednesday) 12-2:30 p.m., Fireside RoomNeuropathy (Every other third Wednesday) 1 p.m., Fireside RoomOmbudsmen (Every fourth Wednesday) 10-12, Fireside RoomFaith Community Shelter 5:30 p.m.- 6:30 a.m., Fellowship Hall

ThursdayF.A. 9-10:30 a.m., LibraryO.A. 1-2 p.m., Youth RoomU.A. 5:30 p.m., Youth Room

Friday A.A. 7:30-9 p.m., Fellowship HallAlanon 7:45-9:15 p.m., Youth Room

SaturdayAlanon 8-9 a.m., LibrarySweet Pea (Every second and fourth Saturday) 9:00 a.m., Youth RoomWomenCare’s Qigong (Every first and third Saturday) 2-3 p.m., Fireside Room

Korean Presbyterian ChurchFriday 8:00 p.m., Sanctuary Saturday 7-8 a.m., Sanctuary Sunday 12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., Sanctuary3-6 p.m., Fellowship Hall

Groups Using Trinity Facilities

All Church Retreat 2017 — Save the DateMark your calendar for September 29 - October 1, for the 2017 Trinity All Church Retreat. We will gather once again at Mission Springs for this fun weekend of fellowship, study, and community.

Book ClubTrinity’s Book Club has been meeting monthly since 1989. If you check out the church’s website, you will find a list of all of the books that have been read - quite a list! In May we will actually meet on the FIFTH Monday of the month - May 29th - not the usual 4th Monday at Joanne Clever’s home at 7:00 p.m. We will be talking about “A Gentleman From Moscow” by Amor Towles. Join us!

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1Office Open

Book Club, 7:00 p.m., Joanne Clever’s home

2UFO 9:00 a.m., Youth Room

Bible Study, 1:00 p.m., FS

3Progressive Christian Forum, 12 p.m., FS

Faith Community Shelter, 5:30 p.m., FH

4Office Closed

Administration Meeting, 4:00 p.m., FS

5

Office Closed

6

7Choir Practice, 9:00 a.m., Sanctuary

Adult Sunday School, 9:00 a.m., FSWorship Service, 10:30 a.m.

Deacons’ Meeting, 11:30 a.m., Library

Private Event 12-4 p.m., FS

8

Office Closed

9WCE Meeting, 11:00 a.m., FS

Bible Study, 1:00 p.m., FS

Session Meeting, 5:30 p.m., FS

Office Closed

10

Faith Community Shelter, 5:30 p.m., FH

Office Closed

11

Office Closed

12

Office Closed

13

Sweet Pea, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Youth Room

14Choir Practice, 9:00 a.m., Sanctuary Adult Sunday School, 9:00 a.m., FSWorship Service, 10:30 a.m.

15

Office Closed

Private Event 10-11:30 a.m., FS

16UFO 9:00 a.m., Youth Room

Bible Study, 1:00 p.m., FS

Office Closed

17Neuropathy, 1-2:30, FS

Faith Community Shelter, 5:30 p.m., FH

Office Open

18

Office Open

19

Office Open

20

21Choir Practice, 9:00 a.m., Sanctuary Adult Sunday School, 9:00 a.m., FSWorship Service, 10:30 a.m.BBQ Luncheon, 11:30 a.m., FH

22

Office Closed

23Fourth Tuesday Lunch, 12:00 p.m., FH

Bible Study, 1:00 p.m., FS

24

Faith Community Shelter, 5:30 p.m., FH

25 26

Office Closed

27Sweet Pea, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Youth Room

28Choir Practice, 9:00 a.m., Sanctuary Adult Sunday School, 9:00 a.m., FSWorship Service, 10:30 a.m.

29Office Closed

Book Club, 7:00 p.m., Joanne Clever’s home

30Bible Study, 1:00 p.m., FS

Mission Meeting, 3:00 p.m., FS

Newsletter Articles Due

31

Faith Community Shelter, 5:30 p.m., FH

Office Hours 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

May

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Trinity Presbyterian Church420 Melrose Avenue

Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Phone: 831-423-8995Email: trinitysc@sbcglobal.net

Web: www.trinitypressc.org

June 4 Communion ServersAmanda Bell, Carolyn Brothers

May 7 Pete Halper Frank & Kate Miller Jane deVette Pete Halper

May 14 Evie Macway Bob Scott Deacons Janice PeekRyan Althaus Preaching

May 21 Elizabeth Bunch Dale Bradshaw BBQ Luncheon Florence Nuss

May 28 Lenore Spalaris Nancy Cheney Jean BowermanKevin Day Preaching

May 7 Communion ServersMary Blanchard, George Bunch,

Michael Christie, Russ Hobbs

Ifyouwouldliketoreceivethisnewsletterviaemail,orifyounolongerwishtoreceivethisnewsletter,pleasesendusanemailorgiveusacall.Thankyou!

Sunday Saints Lector Greeter Coffee Flowers