TRINITY

TOWER May 2018

Volume 26, Issue 5

Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant Cindy Pearson will retire on May 11 after serving Trinity for 13 years.

Two main words come to mind when thinking of Cindy Pearson: nurturing and faithful. Cindy has served Trinity as Office Manager since 2005. During this time she has worked with six pastors. When asked what it was like when she first came to Trinity, Cindy spoke of the office being limited to the approximate size of the office meeting room and the adventure/challenge of moving to the music room during the renovation. What a blessing the expansion has provided for the good of all!

Cindy’s greatest joy has been “to know I am serving the Lord through my work at Trinity. I have not just been working for money. I work for God’s Kingdom.”

Her favorite Bible verse, Romans 8:28 (NIV), reads: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

She finds great joy in worship. Though she attends elsewhere, she has found great fulfillment in serving Trinity. She treasures the memories of times of quiet prayer with members, helping families during the joy of baptisms and weddings and the grief of funerals, in addition to the great comradery of the staff.

Upon retirement, Cindy is eager to garden around the home, which is the very home she grew up in, and spend more time with her grandchildren. She is even a great-grandma now!

Cindy will miss YOU the most. Cindy shared, “Trinity is made up of wonderful people, and I especially want them to know that I thank them for allowing me to serve the Lord among them.”

Cindy, we are grateful for the giving of your time, energy and heart to nurturing the community of Trinity. God truly has used you for much good these past 13 years. Well done, faithful one.

A reception will be held for Cindy on Sunday, May 20 between services. She will also share her gift of music during the

first service. Please join us to bless her and wish her farewell.

Sunday Worship 8:45 & 10:15 a.m.

May 6 Sixth Sunday of Easter John 15:9-17

Holy Communion Bless the Years Recognition

Puppet Ministry Performance Sanctuary Choir, Preschool Singers

May 13 Seventh Sunday of Easter John 17:6-19

Chancel Bells 10 a.m. Altar Communion

May 20 Day of Pentecost John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15

Holy Communion (8:45) Joyful Noise & Youth Choir

Children’s Musical (10:15) Reception for Cindy Pearson

May 27 Holy Trinity Sunday (9 a.m.) John 3:1-17

Holy Communion

Sunday, May 6

We will honor and celebrate 70 members who are 80

and older this year.

Please join us for this wonderful Trinity tradition.

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Trinity Supports Safe Water in Puerto Rico and Africa In September last year, a large and enthusiastic team from Trinity participated in the Walk for Water supporting Water Mission, a Christian organization that installs safe drinking water systems in communities around the world. These systems save lives and improve communities, while also delivering “Living Water” through the message of the gospel. The Twin Cities Walk for Water raised over $130,000 which supported the installation of a water system in the Bidi Bidi refugee camp in Kenya and a system in Puerto Rico. The system shown in the photos below provided water to a community in the mountains of Puerto Rico that lost access to safe water for months due to damage caused by Hurricane Maria.

Trinity members Julie and Steve Vanderboom visited this community to see the installation, which is solar powered and supported by a Tesla battery system. Trinity members are helping save lives and improve health with these systems. There will be another chance to support Water Mission at the 2018 Twin Cities Walk for Water, which will be held on September 15 at Upper Landing Park in St. Paul, beginning at 9 a.m. There are 2.1 billion people around the world who do not have access to safe drinking water; over 800,000 people die each year from disease caused by contaminated water and lack of hygiene. Please consider joining the Trinity team and providing safe drinking water and Living Water to those in need.

On Sunday, May 20, between services, Julie and Steve Vanderboom will share more about their visit to Puerto Rico, the work of Water Mission and how your donations are making a difference!

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The Call Committee will soon submit Trinity’s Ministry Site Profile (MSP) to our synod bishop to post on the ELCA website for potential . The MSP is a dense document that reflects our community and church settings, our church mission, and what we are looking for in a new associate pastor. Over the next several weeks, the committee will be developing interview questions and receiving and reviewing candidates to interview.

While it is difficult to predict how long the call process will take, this rough timeline attempts to illustrate the phases of the process. It is important to realize that there are many variables to be factored into each phase.

The Ministry Site Profile is prepared and submitted (4-6 weeks).

The Call Committee receives names of candidates from the synod staff, and suggested names are invited from the congregation (4-6 weeks).

The Call Committee contacts candidates and arranges and conducts interviews (1-2 months).

When the Call Committee has chosen a candidate, the church council receives the recommendation and conducts a special congregational meeting to vote on issuing the call (4-6 weeks).

Ministers are allowed 30 days to respond to a call (30 days).

Please direct any questions or comments you may have regarding the call process to any of the following Call Committee members:

Terrie Allen (Committee Chair), terrieallen50@gmail.com

Brian Fragodt, brianf@trinitylonglake.org

Kari Newell, karinewell05@gmail.com

Ted Radintz, tradintz@hotmail.com

Chuck Ritchie, chuck.ritchie@gmail.com

Stacey Royal, sroyal@phatminds.com

Steve Vanderboom, steve.vanderboom@pacelabs.com

Thank you for your faithful giving! Our March contributions were $9,400 over budget, ending the year’s first quarter $7,150, or 1.4%, over budget. If you did not receive your first quarter Contribution Statement, please contact the church office at 952-473-8577.

Thank you to the 80+ families who contribute to Trinity via electronic contribution from their bank account. Families using electronic giving can pick up an “I Give Electronically” laminated card at the usher stand and place it in the offering plate during worship to show your participation.

If you would like to sign up for electronic giving, please contact the church office for a form, or access the link from the giving page on Trinity’s website at www.trinitylonglake.org/giving, then click on “Set Up or Manage Electronic Transfers” in the sidebar on the right side of the page. The process is easy to setup and maintain!

Trinity also accepts stock gifts, and if you’re 70½ or older, an IRA Charitable Rollover is an option. Contact Rindee at rindee@trinitylonglake.org or by phone at 952-473-8577 x136 for more information.

Financial update through March

Update from the Call Committee

Please pray for the Call Committee members as they seek to discern God’s will for our congregation.

“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you.”

–Jeremiah 29:11-12.

Call Committee members (left to right): Steve Vanderboom, Terrie Allen, Pastor Brian Fragodt, Chuck Ritchie, Kari Newell, Ted Radintz, Stacey Royal

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Beautiful handmade cards for Mother’s Day, graduation, birthdays and other occasions are for sale at the Sign Up Center in the Narthex for $2. Proceeds support the mission outreach of the Dorcas Circle.

Congregational Life Together at Trinity

Membership If you are interested in membership, please talk with a pastor or complete

the form found on the website.

A New Member Orientation will be held May 20 at 11:30 a.m.

Everyone interested in becoming members, as well as current

members interested in a refresher course on Trinity’s offerings, are welcome to attend. Please RSVP

in the Sign Up Center.

Baptisms

Leo Wright

Go paperless! Sign up to get the Tower electronically.

Help us save paper by switching to the Tower email list. You’ll get the newsletter at the beginning of the month via email. Call the Trinity office at 952-473-8577 to make the switch. Thank you in advance.

This month’s Community Meal is Thursday, May 24, 5:30-6:30 p.m at Calvin Presbyterian. Enjoy a delicious meal and fellowship with others in our community. All are welcome–bring the kids, too!

New adult Bell Choir for seniors (55+) starts May 3. No previous experience is necessary! Mark Hemingway will teach all the concepts needed to participate and enjoy bell ringing. The group will rehearse weekly on Thursdays at 1 p.m. Contact Mark if interested.

Pub Theology is Tuesday, May 8 at McGarry’s in Maple Plain. This month’s topic is “Miracles.” Come for dinner and discussion 7-9 p.m. in the Hibernia Room at McGarry’s. All are welcome.

Why Lutheran? theology series continues Sunday, May 13. Meet in the Fireside Room at 10 a.m. to learn more about our Reformation roots!

Spring Clean Up around Trinity, May 11 & 12, 9-11 a.m. Help spruce up the yard and grounds and maybe work on projects inside. Bring work gloves, rakes and gardening tools. Sign up online or at Sign Up Center.

Summer Special Music – We are looking for musicians to share their gifts during our summer worship season. Please see the schedule on the Music Room door and sign up for a time that works for you. Talk to Mark if you need help with music selection or accompaniment.

Strategic Plan Update – Trinity’s Council has reviewed the first draft of the2018-2023 Strategic Plan. Highlights include an alternative worship and enhancing technology and communications. We’ll continue to work towards a final draft. This is an exciting time at Trinity!

Lutheran Night at Target Field

Twins vs. Cleveland Indians July 31, 7:10 p.m.

Cheer on our home team when they play the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday, July 31. First pitch is at 7:10 p.m. Tickets are $32, and bus transportation will be available for an extra $10/person.

Sign up in the Sign Up Center at church or online. Please designate on the sign up if will be riding the bus from Trinity.

Spring into a GOoD book! The Little Seeds Library continues to add new books, movies and Bible study materials for you and your family. Come and check them out! The library is located in the Fireside Room.

Trinitarians are going to the Museum of Russian Art, May 15. The group will meet to carpool from Trinity at 9:45 a.m. and arrive at the museum by 10:30 a.m. Cost is $8 (checks payable to the Trinitarians). RSVP by May 8 in the Sign Up Center or to Pat Wulff at 763-479-2972.

Serve locally with the Hearts and Hammers program. Twin Cities-based Hearts and Hammers helps elderly, low income and disabled homeowners. There’s a project in the Minnetonka Beach area to help Bob, a combat-wounded Vietnam vet. Work days are May 5 and 12. Visit Trinity’s website or contact Jill Cornell for more information.

Grad Sunday is June 3. We will celebrate all of Trinity’s high school and college graduates and wish them good luck on their next steps.

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Volunteer Opportunities

Wednesday Interfaith Outreach Night, May 9 (ReSale store) & June 13 (Food Shelf), 5:30-8 p.m. 8-10 volunteers (12 & older) are needed.

Crisis Nursery Breakfast, May 12 & June 9, 6:30-9:30 a.m. 4-6 volunteers (12 & older) needed.

Simpson Shelter Breakfast, May 3 & June 2, 5:30-8:30 a.m. 10-12 volunteers (any age) needed.

Sign up for these opportunities in the Narthex or online at www.trinitylonglake.org/signups-media

Thank you for the many ways you serve!

For your generous support of the FMSC MobilePack!

For worship assistants who faithfully help each week.

For those who volunteer at Simpson Shelter, St. Stephen’s Shelter, Mpls Crisis Nursery and Interfaith Outreach each month.

For our prayer shawl and quilting groups who create beautiful blankets to comfort others.

For the continuous supply of donations to support local organizations, including food shelves!

Look what we are collecting — Can you help?

Food shelf needs for May: The food shelf is looking for donations of adult and children sized toothbrushes. They have been unable to get them lately and can really use them to have for clients.

Ongoing Donations: Used cell phones/batteries; travel-size shampoo, soap, cream rinse; grocery/coupon books (expired no more than 30 days); paper bags; diapers (any size and quantity); socks (men’s & women’s); reusable bags; women’s bras

Sewing Day at Calvin Presbyterian, May 9 – Calvin is one of the churches we partner with for Monthly Community Meal. Trinity members are invited to a sewing day to work on liners for Days for Girls kits. They are working 9 a.m.-3 p.m. with a potluck lunch. Come for all or just part of the day. If you have them, please bring scissors, rotary cutters & mats, sergers, sewing machines and dark thread.

A Few Goodies will be Available May 6 & 13 Stop by the AGAPE Pop-Up Market in the Narthex to purchase dip mixes, granola, tea towels & cards.

Group/Vendor Participants Individuals & groups are welcome as vendors at the Nov. 10-11 market. See the Sign Up Center for info.

Gently-Used Items Needed for New Section at Market Books (hard and soft cover, hobby books, fiction,

nonfiction, etc.); DVDs and CDs; magazines (hobby, quilting, gardening, décor, etc.); board games and

puzzles. Note: VHS will not be accepted , and we are NOT collecting vintage/home décor items this year.

Items to Repurpose Pillow forms, spiritwear sweatshirts, glass beads, cotton string (or embroidery floss, button thread), vintage wooden ladders, wooden picture frames,

qt-sized jars, bright-colored fleece, buttons, old jewelry (can be broken), authentic wine corks.

Items Needed for Working on Projects The team is looking for a power drill/screwdriver,

small paint brushes, wrenches, Xacto knives, screw/nail containers, a 6” level and pencil sharpener.

All items may be placed in the bin by the Sign Up Center. Thank you for your help!

“I want to send a note thanking Trinity and the groups that have come for years of volunteering at the Crisis

Nursery. It is so nice to have a team that I know I don’t have to worry about and will always help each month.“

– Keith Johnson, Mpls Crisis Nursery

Shop at Otten Bros (either location – Long Lake or Delano) now through May 31 to support Trinity’s Seeds of Hope university students. 10% of every purchase and 5% of all signed landscaping projects will be given to the Seeds of Hope program.

To make sure Trinity gets credit, you must present the flyer at checkout or mention “Trinity Seeds of Hope.” Flyers are available on the Welcome Desk at church. Discount customers’ purchases are not eligible for the Give & Grow program.

Our heartfelt thank you for your generous support of Trinity’s 5th FMSC MobilePack event, April 13-15. We reached our goal even in the midst of a blizzard! Here are some highlights:

451,008 meals were packed, enough to feed 1,235 children for one year.

Over $100,000 was donated, including two matching gifts totaling $40,000, a gift of $20,000 and several additional large donations. Several businesses and organizations sponsored the event with a gift of $250 or more: David Lee Funeral Home, Lake Community Bank, and St. George Council of Catholic Women. Two Thrivent Action teams were also provided for the MobilePack.

1,440 volunteer shifts were filled. Some volunteers helped at multiple shifts!

In addition to people from Trinity, many community groups participated: Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, sports teams, Lake Community Bank, Orono Rotary, Orono Woodlands, Long Lake Assisted Living, local churches & businesses.

Final Food destinations: We will learn shortly where the food is being shipped and will let you know in future communications.

Thank you to Herc-U-Lift Maple Plain, Orono Schools, Men’s Basketball group, Tamarack Vending/Troy Koltes, Randy Sanitation, all our donors, Trinity Kids, and our snow crew (Scott Vickerman, Steve Boner and Rob Wiens) for extra support and lending a helping hand throughout the event.

A special thanks to the FMSC planning team: Michelle & Annabelle Edwards, the Troy/Linda Koltes family, Beth & Mike Arends, Frank Larson, Angie & Lauren Boner, Melissa Albers, Jill Kunze, Earl & Carri Hanson, Connie Francis, Rebecca Furnival, Jeri Lowe, Konnie Berg, Elsa Soderstrom, Ellie Schaible, Tori Everson. They all volunteered many hours of their time, including the entire weekend of the event, to help make this a successful event for Trinity and the community.

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” –Acts 20:35

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ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

POSTMASTER: DATED MATERIAL

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Permit No. 4

Long Lake, MN

Interfaith Outreach Night

Simpson Shelter Breakfast

High School Shopping Event for Interfaith Outreach Middle School Hands for Change Night (7th Grade)

Trinity Kids Service Projects

Trinity Women “Rising on the Wings of Prayer” Event

Sunday, May 6

Celebrate members who are 80 & older this year!