1

TRINITY UNITED CHURCH

TRINITY TIMES Issue 41 – October 2017

FALL HAS ARRIVED !!

2

INDEX

Message from our Ministers – Page 2

Trinity Happenings since the Spring:

a) June Outdoor Service and BBQ – Page 3 b) Farewell to Laurence Broadhurst – Page 6 c) Reverend Milly Malavsky Announces her Retirement – Page 11 d) Trinity Gardens Harvest Celebrations – Page 13 e) Winnipeg Blue Bombers Parking Initiative 2017 – Page 14

What’s Coming Up:

a) October 8th

Thanksgiving Sunday – Page 15 b) October 15

th World Food Day Sunday – Page 15

c) Come Join Us for Refreshments After Church – Page 16 d) The 2018 Community BBQ and Fun Event – Page 17

A Meditation for a New Church Season – Page 18 Some Thanksgiving Humour to Lighten your Day – Page 19 Contact Information – Page 20

MESSAGE FROM OUR MINISTERS

WOW!! September has come and gone and we are certainly a busy faith community! All the committees and the Trinity Board have met, groups have begun meeting again, new groups are in place, worship is back to 10:45am, Sunday School Explorers (both Junior and Senior) are busy learning about being a “child of God at school and home”... so many things are happening I could hardly mention them all! WOW!!

In these pages you’ll get a glimpse of some of the things that have happened, will be happening in the next little while, and maybe you’ll learn a bit more about how Trinity folks live out their faith in the community. Each one of us is unique and brings to our church many different gifts, talents, skills and abilities and we are grateful for every contribution. We don’t do it for recognition or reward or fame or fortune; we do it out of love. We have experienced God’s love and grace and want to share that with others; we love the folks who gather here; we take loving care of this space; we are grateful for all we have; and we respond to God’s loving spirit in ways that fit with who we are! Sometimes, we’ll witness these gifts given by others; other times they will happen when we’re not looking; and when we do see or experience the results, we are amazed once again by this incredible community of faith! We are grateful for all our gifts!

So … WOW!! What a wonderful faith community this is! What beautiful spirits contribute to who we are! What a great way of knowing God’s love in the world! WOW!! This is a great way to begin the church year!

Blessings on our journeys! Elizabeth... for Milly and me

3

TRINITY HAPPENINGS SINCE

THE SPRING

JUNE OUTDOOR WORSHIP SERVICE AND BBQ

A Trinity United and Good Shepherd Anglican joint outdoor worship service and BBQ were held at Trinity on June 25, 2017. More than a 100 flyers were delivered to the community and the event was open to all as a simple neighbourly gesture. In the end, approximately 140 people were in attendance and several attendees were from the local community and had never been at the church before. The Fellowship Committee organized the food and BBQ. Men from the congregation BBQ’d hotdogs on BBQs set up in the church parking lot. Most of the food accompaniments including: chips, fruit, veggies and cookies were provided through donations from congregational members. Sobey's donated a $25 gift card which helped offset some of the purchased food items. The Christian Education Committee organized games for children and some adults even participated! The event was a huge success.

(Write-up contributed by Ruth Graham of the Fellowship Committee)

(Pictures that follow are the property of Karen Wall)

Reverend Elizabeth Brown from TUC and

Reverend Jennifer Sisson from GSA

conducted our outdoor worship service in

sunny but cool weather... but no rain!!

TUC’s Reverend Milly Malavsky added a

lively beat to the music part of the service

with her bongo drum!

4

Music was provided by Second Chance with

added musicians from the GSA congregation

Attendance that day was around 140 including Mary

and Bill Pelton, Dennis Snarr and, peeking around the

corner, Tom Sturdy

Judy and Charles Powell look comfortable waiting for proceedings to begin

5

Richard Castro from GSA looks for a spot to put his

lawn chair.

Gerta DeJong from TUC is well protected from the

sun with her straw hat and sunglasses.

Phillis Nachilongo from TUC, and her daughter, Lukonde Chanda, enjoy the food and refreshments served at the post-service BBQ in the church narthex after the outdoor service.

6

FAREWELL TO LAURENCE BROADHURST

On September 3, 2017 we said goodbye to our choir director, Laurence, and wished him well for his future. At the service, Harry Johnson (M&P) offered a tribute and Laurence responded with his thanks. As many folks were still away for summer activities and have asked about it, here is a little bit of what happened that morning. [From Harry] “Laurence joined Trinity in 2011 as choir director … affection and respect for him is shared by Trinity and Good Shepherd … he grew up in Toronto, receiving his BA in English Literature, his MA in Religion and Culture, and studying Greek-speaking Christianity of the second century! Laurence learned music from his mom (a piano teacher) and then from grade 3-13, from St. Michael’s Choir where he learned choral singing, canting, piano and pipe organ. In terms of family, Laurence met Susan on an archaeological dig in Amman, Jordan; they married and Daphne, Charlotte and Owen are their 3 children. Laurence worked at University of Winnipeg teaching a wide range of subjects including the Hebrew Bible, Christianity in the Roman Empire, modern concepts of Religious and Classical ideas and Religion and Popular Culture. As an exceptional pianist and organist (and sometimes soloist), Laurence led the choir (and us) in anthems, hymns and service music and was involved in the ecumenical “Sing for Peace” with other churches in our community.

7

Recently Laurence changed institutions and is now on the faculty of St. Paul’s Roman Catholic high school and as his kids become teenagers, his family and career are calling to him... all of which led to his decision.” [From Laurence] “Thank you so very much as I seized the chance to do a thing I adore! Thanks to my wife and children who put up with my absences; my mentor Jim Dixon and Susan Delaney; Milly and Elizabeth – to me, always “eb” and “mm”; my choir; Bert, Deena, Nicola (Lisa, Renate); Leah, Gord, Ken and Kyle; Good Shepherd Jennifer and David and Choir; Secretaries Pat and now Dallis. Now let me tell you a story … The Cow-tail Switch: and its last line: “For it was a saying among them that a man is not really dead until he is forgotten.”

The Cow-Tail Switch

Near the edge of the Liberian rain forest, on a hill overlooking the Cavalla River, was the village of Kundi... its

rice and cassava fields spread in all directions. Cattle grazed in the grassland near the river. Smoke from

the fires in the round clay houses seeped through the palm leaf roofs, and from a distance these faint

columns of smoke seemed to hover over the village. Men and boys fished in the river with nets, and women

pounded grain in wooden mortars before the houses.

In this village, with his wife and many children, lived a hunter by the name of Ogaloussa. One morning

Ogaloussa took his weapons down from the wall of his house and went into the forest to hunt. His wife and

his children went to tend their fields, and drove their cattle out to graze. They day passed, and they ate their

evening meal of manioc and fish. Darkness came, but Ogaloussa did not return.

Another day went by, and still Ogaloussa did not come back. They talked about it and wondered what could

have detained him. A week passed, then a month. Sometimes Ogaloussa’s sons mentioned that he had not

come home. The family cared for the crops, and the sons hunted for game, but after a while they no longer

talked about Ogaloussa’s disappearance.

Then, one day, another son was born to Ogaloussa’s wife. His name was Puli. Puli grew older. He began to

talk, and the first thing he said was, “Where is my father?”

8

The other sons looked across the rice fields. “Yes,” one of them said. “Where is father?” “He should have

returned long ago,” another one said. “Something must have happened. We ought to look for him,” a third

son said. “He went into the forest, but where will we find him?” another one asked. “I saw him go,” one of

them said. “He went that way, across the river. Let us follow the trail and search for him.”

So the sons took their weapons and started out to search for Ogaloussa. When they were deep among the

great trees and vines of the forest they lost the trail. They searched in the forest until one of them found the

trail again. They followed it until they lost the way once more, and then another son found the trail. It was

dark in the forest, and many times they became lost. Each time another son found the way. At last they

came to a clearing among the trees, and there on the ground scattered about lay Ogaloussa’s bones and his

rusted weapons. They knew then that Ogaloussa had been killed in the hunt.

One of the sons stepped forward and said, “I know how to put a dead person’s bones together.” He

gathered all of Ogaloussa’s bones and put them together, each in its right place. Another son said, “I have

knowledge too. I know how to cover the skeleton with sinews and flesh.” He went to work, and covered

Ogaloussa’s bones with sinews and flesh. A third son said, “I have the power to put blood into a body.” He

went forth and put blood into Ogaloussa’s veins, and then he stepped aside. Another of the sons said, “I

can put breath into a body.” He did his work, and when he was through they saw Ogaloussa’s chest rise and

fall. “I can give the power of movement to a body,” another of them said. He put the power of movement

into his father’s body, and Ogaloussa sat up and opened his eyes. “I can give him the power of speech,”

another son said. He gave the body the power of speech, and then he stepped back.

Ogaloussa looked around him. He stood up. “Where are my weapons?” he asked. They picked up his rusted

weapons from the grass where they lay and gave them to him. Then they returned the way they had come,

through the forest and the rice fields, until they had arrived once more in the village.

Ogaloussa went into his house. His wife prepared a bath for him and he bathed. She prepared food for him

and he ate. Four days he remained in the house, and on the fifth day he came out and shaved his head,

because this was what people did when they came back from the land of the dead.

Afterwards he killed a cow for a great feast. He took the cow’s tail and braided it. He decorated it with

beads and cowry shells and bits of shiny metal. It was a beautiful thing. Ogaloussa carried it with him to

important affairs. When there was a dance or an important ceremony he always had it with him. The

people of the village thought it was the most beautiful cow-tail switch they had ever seen.

Soon there was a celebration in the village because Ogaloussa had returned from the dead. The people

dressed in their best clothes, the musicians brought out their instruments, and a big dance began. The

drummers beat their drums and the women sang. The people drank much palm wine. Everyone was happy.

9

Ogaloussa carried his cow-tail switch, and everyone admired it. Some of the men grew bold and came

forward to Ogaloussa and asked for the cow-tail switch, but Ogaloussa kept it in his hand. Now and then

there was a clamor and much confusion as many people asked for it at once. The women and children

begged for it too, but Ogaloussa refused them all.

Finally, he stood up to talk. The dancing stopped and people came close to hear what Ogaloussa had to say.

“A long time ago I went into the forest,” Ogaloussa said. “While I was hunting I was killed by a leopard.

Then my sons came for me. They brought me back from the dead, but I have only one cow tail to give. I

shall give it to the one who did the most to bring me home.”

So an argument started. “He will give it to me!” one of the sons said. “It was I who did the most, for I found

the trail in the forest when it was lost!” “No, he will give it to me!” another son said. “It was I who put his

bones together!” “It was I who covered his bones with sinews and flesh!” another said. “He will give it to

me!” “It was I who gave him the power of movement!” another son said. “I deserve it most!”

Another son said it was he who should have the switch, because he had put blood into Ogaloussa’s veins.

Another claimed it because he had put breath in the body. Each of the sons argued his right to possess the

wonderful cow-tail switch.

Before long not only the sons but the other people of the village were talking. Some of them argued that the

son who had put blood in Ogaloussa’s veins should get the switch, others that the one who had given

Ogaloussa breath should get it. Some of them believed that all of the sons had done equal things, and that

they should share it. They argued back and forth this way until Ogaloussa asked them to be quiet.

“To this son I will give the cow-tail switch, for I owe most to him,” Ogaloussa said. He came forward and bet

low and handed it to Puli, the little boy who had been born while Ogaloussa was in the forest. The people of

the village remembered then that the child’s first words had been, “Where is my father?” They knew that

Ogaloussa was right. For it was a saying among them that a man is not really dead until he is forgotten.

(Source: The Cow-Tail Switch and Other West African Stories by Harold Courlander and George Herzog)

So, I do and will remember so fondly these things: Anniversary celebrations; becoming an Affirming congregation; ecumenical Remembrance Day concerts; Elizabeth’s and Tom’s one-of-a-kind winter-solstice wedding; many exuberant baptisms and a few funerals; six Christmas concerts and something approaching 200 weekly services; performing “And the Glory of the Lord” from Handel’s Messiah with 6 Good Shepherd choir members and David as the organist! In Game of Thrones, the Archmeister, as he conducts an autopsy on a cadaver, says to his young apprentice: We are this world’s memory, Samwell. Without us, men would be little better than dogs. In other words, we find purpose and we are purposeful when we remember to remember. And when we do, the world herself breathes.

10

What one yearns for in life – the way one wins life, I suppose – is to earn and to fashion and to preserve cherished memories. Memories that enliven... memories that keep things alive... memories that resurrect. So, when it comes to my six years at Trinity I assert that, if I may, I win.”

Both Trinity and Good Shepherd offered tokens of gratitude and

we all enjoyed cake!

We will miss you Laurence and wish you all the best in the next chapters of

your career and life.

11

REVEREND MILLY MALAVSKY ANNOUNCES HER RETIREMENT

On Sunday, September 17, 2017 Dale Kendel, Chair of the Ministry and Personnel Committee, made the following announcement to the Trinity congregation: “I’m here today from Ministry and Personnel as Milly’s liaison person. I wish to invite you all to a party... a celebration that will occur on Sunday September 16, 2018. A party is defined as ‘a gathering of a number of persons united together for a particular purpose’. You are the number of people, and the particular purpose is a retirement party for Milly Malavsky.

Yes, in one year from today, Milly will be retiring from Ministry at Trinity and her Ministry within the United Church. Milly will have served Trinity United Church enthusiastically, faithfully, lovingly, compassionately and pastorally for 20 years ...overall in the United Church 29 years in Ministry. Come and celebrate on Sunday September 16, 2018 right here at Trinity... one year from today. We need you to know that our Ministry Team of Elizabeth Brown and Milly Malavsky will continue in their current roles, carrying out all functions for Trinity until September 2018. A Ministry Profile and Search committee will be set up shortly. We need several things from you as our congregation...your prayers for Milly and Elizabeth...your enthusiasm and input, vision and insight as Trinity goes through some changes...together, the opportunities will unfold before us.”

Plan to attend the Party on Sunday, September 16, 2018. You are all invited.

12

A Letter from Milly Dear People of Trinity United Church, After much prayerful discernment I told Dale Kendel, my liaison on the Ministry and Personnel Committee,

of my intention to retire next September. My retirement will be effective September 16, 2018.

My colleague, Elizabeth Brown and her Ministry and Personnel Committee liaison, Harry Johnson, met a

number of times with Dale and me to ensure that Trinity United Church would be as well prepared as it

could be for the time leading up to my retirement and beyond.

This year will go by very quickly. We have much to accomplish in the months ahead, and we will I am sure

be led by the Spirit. You have my word that I will not sit idle.

I ask you to hold your church, Elizabeth and me in your prayers as we move forward together informed by

this new information.

Love and Blessings

Milly

A Final Note from Milly

I want to meet with as many of you as desire to meet with me, and in order to make that happen I need

your help. Please call me 204-269-1632 or email me at: mam.tuc@mts.net if you would like to set a date

and time. Please do not hesitate or wait to the last possible moment or it may become more difficult to

match our calendars. Thanks for helping make this happen.

Dearest Milly

We look forward to our last year with you

with a mixture of sadness and joy... sadness

that we are losing you... and joy that we

have a whole year to celebrate our

wonderful relationship with you.

13

TRINITY GARDENS HARVEST CELEBRATIONS

The Trinity Community Gardens held its 5th annual celebration of the harvest on September 15, 2017. The

pot luck and hotdog dinner was well attended by about 115 people. It was an exciting and noisy time as

families gathered to enjoy a meal together. Everyone worked together to make it a wonderful success!

It was definitely a multicultural event with families from Syria, Bangladesh, Yemen, Sri Lanka, Pakistan,

India, Bhutan, China, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Congo, and Canada joining together to share a meal. Thanks to

everyone who contributed!!

(Write-up contributed by Beth Anderson of the Outreach Committee)

14

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS PARKING INITIATIVE 2017

Ever wonder what goes on when we are parking cars and helping people at the crosswalks at the Bomber games or concerts? Here is a little bit of what we experience each night.

Ingress Fans: (on the way into a game or event)

Where do I park my car/my bike? Why do we have to wait for traffic? We have priority! What gate is this? How much is it to park here? Can you wait for traffic, please? Less than one minute, I promise! Who are the Bombers playing? I need to write an exam or I work here, can I park here? Nice to see you again! I have a blue/red/gold/white/ handicap parking pass ... do you know where I can park? You are doing a great job. Thank you. Are the Bombers going to win tonight?

Us: You can’t stop there!!! Enjoy the game. Move it, Move it, MOVE IT! Thank you. Go Bombers! Park here … okay, park where you want to! No, you can’t borrow my flashlight/vest/flag! Please park here … or there, where you’re parking because that’s where you always park! Watch out for the bus/taxi/car/police vehicle! Please step off the road there is a bus coming!

Egress Fans: (on the way out of the game or event)

Do you know where I parked my car? What bus do I take to get home? How do I get to Pembina Highway/St Vital/Transcona/Downtown? Have you seen my friends, parents, daughter, who is coming to pick me up? Here, let me take your flashlight and I’ll show you how it’s done! Where are the *&#@ing taxis? Do you want a hot donut/popcorn/bag of chips? See you at the next game. Thanks for keeping us safe. Can I park here on the street for a minute while I wait for my kids to come out? Where is the bus I need to take to get home? Have you seen my car? I’m sure I parked here! I can wait all night … the Bombers won tonight!

Us: We just do our best – sometimes we have the answers but sometimes there are just no answers to the questions!!! We do have a LOT of great stories!

More than 50 people have volunteered from Trinity at 10 games and 2 concerts this season; a shift is about 6 hours (or you can split a shift with someone else) and we always work together. We meet people we’ve only “seen” from a distance at church and get to know one another better. Trinity provides a sandwich of your choice delivered by an important food person shortly after the game begins and there is always a break when you can enter the stadium to watch for a bit. As fundraisers, we make about $1000 a game (depending on how long we’re there) which equals more than $10,000 for Trinity for the season! We have been recognized by the Bomber organization as the most dependable, hard working and friendly group of volunteers they have! Come... join us as there is a place for everyone! If you’d like to know more about this amazing opportunity, please speak to any of our volunteers or Marilyn Loat and Elizabeth Brown.

(Report submitted by Marilyn Loat and Elizabeth Brown)

15

WHAT’S COMING UP?

October 8 – THANKSGIVING SUNDAY

Help us decorate our Sanctuary for Thanksgiving. You are invited to bring in fresh produce from your

garden, a sample of your home canning, flowers or even stalks of corn, wheat or whatever you have

growing. These items can be brought in on Thanksgiving Sunday or dropped off at the office during the

week. We have much for which to be thankful

October 15 – WORLD FOOD DAY SUNDAY

To celebrate World Food Day, Trinity will present a special service entitled:

“COMMON VISION - Singing to end hunger”

... on Sunday October 15. 10:45 a.m.

This service of music will be in support of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank and offers our community an

opportunity to encourage action and participation in efforts to end Global hunger. Donation envelopes will

be available at the service. 100% of all donations go to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank and tax receipts will

be sent directly to you. Special reservation cards are available from our ushers which we encourage you to

pass to your friends and neighbours inviting them to join us.

16

COME JOIN US FOR REFRESHMENTS AFTER CHURCH

Many have such busy lives that there is little time to connect with other people. Others find the days long and times when one can meet and have conversation are cherished. Church fellowship and refreshments after service serve both groups and are open to all. Peanut-free cookies and cakes, coffee, tea, and juice are served. People are always needed to help out with baking, serving, set-up, and clean-up. You do not need to be a member of the Fellowship Committee to do any of these tasks... you just need to have a heart that enjoys serving others. If you wish to help, just sign up on the green board in the narthex. Fall Fellowship coffee dates are: October 15 October 29 November 12 November 26

The Fellowship Committee will see you there!

17

THE 2018 COMMUNITY BBQ AND FUN EVENT

Plans to host a Community BBQ and fun event in September 2018...read all about it!! In the beginning, just like all of you, we were moved by the weekly messages to be the Salt and Light in the community. This resulted in several discussions about the possibility of something like a community BBQ to get to know our community and neighbours. This is not a repeat of last June’s outdoor worship service... it is something different. A few people gathered to explore the concept of a community BBQ and fun event and subsequently received Board approval to plan a Community Welcome BBQ and Fun Event to be scheduled for the fall of 2018. The objectives of the event are to:

provide an occasion where we can meet and get to know our neighbours develop, build and strengthen our relationships and connectedness with our community establish partnerships with our community that will promote on-going relationships and growth

after the 2018 BBQ event

The planning team members are Edgar Rosales, Shaheeda Koning, Charles Powell, Suni Matthews, Wendy Wylie (GSAC rep), a TUC Minister (Elizabeth Brown or Milly Malavsky), and Jackie Snarr. As details about this Community BBQ and fun event develop, we will share information with everyone at Trinity and Good Shepherd. We invite anyone to be a part of the collective on our planning team. We have applied to the United Church Embracing the Spirit Innovation Grant for funding towards the event and have been approved for significant financial support to help move our initiative forward. As we work to be the Salt and Light, our churches continue to work to build relationships and nourish outreach opportunities with our community. We are planning for a fun celebration of these relationships with the Community BBQ and Fun event in September 2018. Please plan to attend to share your Salt and Light with our community.

(Submitted by the members of the Community BBQ and Fun Event planning team)

18

A MEDITATION FOR A NEW CHURCH SEASON

Take Time for Ten Things

1. Take time to work... it is the price of success

2. Take time to think... it is the source of power

3. Take time to play... it is the secret of youth

4. Take time to read... it is the foundation of knowledge

5. Take time to worship... it is the highway of reverence and washes the dust of earth from our eyes

6. Take time to help and enjoy friends... it is the source of happiness

7. Take time to love... it is the one sacrament of life

8. Take time to dream... it hitches the soul to the stars

9. Take time to laugh... it is the singing that helps with life’s loads

10. Take time to plan... it is the secret to having time to take time for the first nine things!

(Taken from: Our Favorite Recipes... compiled by the women of St. Norbert United Church 1977)

19

SOME THANKSGIVING HUMOUR TO LIGHTEN YOUR DAY

20

CONTACT US:

Trinity United Church 933 Summerside Ave. Winnipeg, Manitoba

R3T 4Y1

Phone: 204-269-1632 Fax: 204-269-2499

E-mail: tuc@mymts.net

ONLINE:

www.trinityunitedwinnipeg.com

WE ARE ON FACEBOOK AT:

Trinity United Church Winnipeg

Please consider submitting articles or

stories of interest to our congregation for

our December 2017 edition. You can e-mail

ideas or submissions directly to me at:

kwall@mymts.net

... or telephone me at: 204-269-5550

Have a great Thanksgiving!

Karen Wall Trinity Times Editor