TODAY€¦ · festivals this year, is going to be . different. But like these major seasons in the...

115 4th St. N Stillwater, MN 55082

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December 2020volume 42, issue 12

trinityTODAY

Because God first loved us, we live as Jesus in the world.

Light one candle to watch for Messiah:let the light banish darkness.He shall bring salvation to Israel,God fulfills the promise. From “Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah” – Wold

Advent & Christmas details on Page 9

PHOTO: Jill & Josh Longnecker roll up some extra greeters at a snowy drive-in worship!

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LEAD PASTOR THE REV. DR. CHRIS BELLEFEUILLE

2 December 2020 • trinity.today.

God-with-us sparking God within usAs the snow came down this morning, I felt a familiar frisson of excitement—the kind that starts to bubble up as Christmas catalogs begin to arrive in the mail. Baking lists take shape in my mind. I think about the tree that will sparkle in the dining room window and the bright red mugs that will hold our morning coffee and evening tea from Thanksgiving to Epiphany. I even did a bit of Christmas shopping online this past weekend. And then my heart broke a little. Or more than a little.Our daughter and her sweetheart won’t be home for Christmas. It’s not safe to travel. I likely won’t see my mom, certainly not around a dinner table. You know all too well the familiar litany of grief that shapes our festivities this year. The traditions set aside and gatherings that won’t happen. The sanctuary will not brim with people and excitement. No carols soaring to the rafters or candles glit-tering among the hopeful. You each have your own list of disap-pointments and losses.It’s like a badly conceived Hallmark Christmas movie, where everything that can go wrong before Christmas does, and seriously so. No one in the small, made-for-television town can smile or laugh. Trees are not lit, stores are empty and clouds heavy and snowless.

If this were a Hallmark movie, we could promise you an expected ending of deep blessing from the strange not-quite-celebrations: surprise guests, a magical snowfall, the sound of a choir or sleigh bells ringing mysteriously through the night. But we are not living in a Hallmark movie. We are living in pandemic. And we must stay apart now so we can gather in future. And there are better promises that can sustain us. Not scripted sentiment or greeting card platitudes. Rather, promises ancient and familiar. The promise of the Child, Immanuel, is God’s own power come to earth, to stand with us in our suffering and isolation, to paint a picture of God’s dream brighter than any vision of sugar plums dancing in our heads. The promise birthed by Mary is that all will be blessed, no one left out or beyond the reach of Jesus’s healing touch.The arrival of the Christ child is represented in pictures meek and mild, but it was a rending of history, a tearing open of the fabric of injustice, disobedience, exclusion and abuse. And through that rending reached the hand of God. So while we may not make very merry, we can rest on an enduring promise of joy and beloved-ness that is immutable, undimmable and assured through pandemic, war, famine, dustbowl, depression, or disaster.Advent hymns offer us poetry that meets us where our hearts are lodging this year. Here is one of my haunting favorites, Each Winter as the Year Grows Older (William Gay and Annabeth McClelland Gay):

Each winter as the year grows older, we each grow older too. The chill sets in a little colder; The verities we knew seem shaken and untrue.When race and class cry out for treason, when sirens call for war, They over-shout the voice of reason And scream till we ignore all we held dear before.Yet I believe beyond believing, that life can spring from death: That growth can flower from our grieving; That we can catch our breath and turn transfixed by faith.So even as the sun is turning to journey to the north, The living flame, in secret burning, Can kindle on the earth and bring God’s love to birth.O Child of ecstasy and sorrows, O Prince of peace and pain, Brighten today’s world by tomorrow’s, Renew our lives again; Lord Jesus, come and reign!

The hope of the incarnation pulses through our DNA, to the heart core of the image of God formed in each of us. God-with-us sparking God within us.So I will unpack my red Christmas mugs and decorate the tree and turn up the volume on the Christmas music. And I will shed a tear missing my daughter and my mom. And I will give thanks for you and the hope we share, trusting that God will see us through to a renewal of community and praise that will rend the skies in joy and liberation.Wishing you a Holy Advent and a hope-filled Christmas.

Pastor Chris

3December 2020 • trinity.today.

PASTOR OF LIFELONG FAITH FORMATION THE REV. PETER WESTON MILLER

The Most Christmas-iest Christmas we have ever Christmas-ed.Back in March (which feels like approximately one billion years ago), we stood at a regular yet cosmic seasonal shift in the church. It was Lent and it was also still in the very early stages of what remains an uncontrolled pandemic.And it felt like a wilderness. Like a forced reverse exile. It still very much does.Forty days has turned into nine months. And counting. Milestone after milestone.I quoted a friend of mine then who said that it felt like it was the: “Lent-iest Lent we have ever Lent-ed.”We were isolated. Stir crazy. Polarized. Fighting over the value of human life. Anticipating an ugly election.We had all given up way more than we had ever imagined, including really simple things like having folks over for dinner around a table inside. And many losing loved ones to this virus.As the months wore on and on, we also witnessed the rise of civil unrest at the death of George Floyd on a warm night in Minneapolis and a global response to police brutality.Our life has changed and is still changing.We continue to be asked to sacrifice something collectively that feels daunting and overwhelming.And now we are moving into potentially the most Advent-y Advent we have ever Advent-ed.We often say during these waiting times, like Lent and Advent, that

The Most Christmas-iest Christmas we have ever Christmas-ed

we shouldn’t move too quickly into Easter or Christmas. That this time is holy. That it’s important to pause and remember.Like God’s people through the ages, their lives often remained in the balance. Powers pivoting. Empires failing. Waiting for an end to slavery. Hoping for a deliverer. Dreaming of a promised land. Praying for a Messiah. Craving liberation and freedom.We don’t want to move too quickly to Christmas because we don’t want to forget the pain of these shifts. We don’t want to gloss over the trauma. We don’t want to minimize the process of healing.That doesn’t mean we don’t still pray for an end to this virus and the full health of our communities, but it reminds us that our human struggle is not a reflection of God’s absence.Instead, we trust and we re-light our candles to push back darkness again.We look for God’s fulfilment of God’s promise and the birth of God’s love again in Christ.Christmas, like so many of our festivals this year, is going to be different.But like these major seasons in the life of God’s people, the Lent-iest, Easter-iest, and Advent-iest, it will likely too be the Christmas-iest Christmas we have ever Christmas-ed.Christ was most certainly born for this. Into my home and yours. Blessed Christmas-iest Christmas,

Pastor Peter

PODCAST SERIES: TrinityCast— An En-Courage-ing WordOn Buzzsprout: https://trinitycast.buzzsprout.com/Or on our web site: https://trinitylc.org/learning/adult/podcast/On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trinitycast-an-en-courage-ing-word/id1540124079Tune in to our six-week podcast series with Pastors Chris and Peter diving into the Bible as a reflection of God’s love in the world.

https://trinitycast.buzzsprout.com/https://trinitycast.buzzsprout.com/https://trinitylc.org/learning/adult/podcast/https://trinitylc.org/learning/adult/podcast/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trinitycast-an-en-courage-ing-word/id1540124079https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trinitycast-an-en-courage-ing-word/id1540124079https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trinitycast-an-en-courage-ing-word/id1540124079


CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL

Thank you to all who attended the 150th Annual Meeting of Trinity Lutheran Church on Sunday, Nov. 15 at noon. This was our first ever remote annual meeting. Thank you to Jim Brown for moderating and technical help, and Gail Olson for serving as Parliamentarian. The 2021 proposed budget was passed. Congratulations to Tom Haugrud who was elected to council, and Krista Gossai who was elected to a second term on council. Deep gratitude was expressed to Doug Johnson for his leadership as his term ends, and Arba-Della Beck for her excellent service on council as she resigned for health reasons.

Melanie (Mel) SullivanCOUNCIL PRESIDENT [email protected]

Krista GossaiCOUNCIL VICE [email protected]

OpenCOUNCIL TREASURERTo be appointed

Tom HaugrudCOUNCIL [email protected]

Dave MartinCOUNCIL [email protected]

Andrew ThelanderCOUNCIL [email protected]

Chris Bellefeuille, D.Min.LEAD [email protected]

Congregational Council

To reach all members of council, send email to [email protected].

More information including minutes and reports at https://trinitylc.org/welcome/who-we-are/council/.

mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://trinitylc.org/

This Year Last Year '21 Budget % of Budget

Contribution Income 161,731 163,729 1,326,000 12%Other Income 32,000 60,542 422,761 8%

Total Income 193,732$ 224,271$ 1,748,761$

less: Expenses 243,910 266,377 1,747,358 14%Surplus (Deficit) (50,178)$ (42,106)$ 1,403$

Long-Term Debt Summary:Long-Term Debt - Beginning of Fiscal Yr. 3,346,629 3,410,152

Increase (Decrease) (14,393) (13,942) Long-Term Debt - End of October 3,332,236$ 3,396,210$

Line of Credit Balance - October 30 -$ 26,000$

October Year-to-Date - Fiscal Year 2021

Trinity Financial Update


GIFTS MANAGEMENT

Financial HighlightsOctober 2020Financial results for October 2020 are off slightly compared to October of 2019. Fees & Payments and Building Rental Income are off vs. last year, showing the effects of the pandemic and reduced activity in our building. Expenses are also down vs. 2019, reflective of lower insurance costs and reduced program-ming costs. October 2020 results place us behind last year at this time, showing a total deficit of $50K, v. a deficit of 42K in 2019. Contribution Income of $87K for the month of October 2020 is $5K greater than October 2019. Total Income is $5K over October 2019. YTD, Fees & Payments Income is $21K less than 2019, and Building Rent is also down $5K vs. las year. Learning programs expenses are also down by $10K compared to 2019. Overall YTD Operating Expenses are $23K less than October 2019. Our Line of Credit Balance was at $0 as of October 31st! Last year we had a $26,000 balance against the line as of October 31.


By Claudia Swendseid, Stewardship Team Last Sunday I “zoomed” with my three sisters. A small silver lining of the pandemic is that my communications with my sisters have become frequent and intentional. Among other things we discussed our Christmas plans—in particular, will we be gathering in person with family and friends as we commonly do. Of course, we know that when people get together indoors—eating, drinking, talking, shouting, laughing, singing—that’s unfortunately a big risk of spreading COVID-19, especially when the people gathering have traveled to get there. Indeed, health experts are warning that increased travel over Thanksgiving and Christmas could lead to yet more surges of the disease.None of us want to hear this. In my own immediate family, many members have in past years traveled “home” to Minnesota for the Christmas holiday—but not this year. Zoom and like technologies will support virtual gath-erings instead. We will still worship, light candles, read holy scripture, sing carols, sit around Christmas trees, open gifts, play games, enjoy drinks and nibbles—and all this without the hassle of driving, and even in our jammies if we want (more silver linings). Of course, we will miss the warmth of physical hugs and kisses, but love runs on hope and hopefully by this time next year things will be different.I am calling it the pared-down Christmas of 2020, which may be just the ticket for remembering the original Christmas story. There being no room at the inn. The inhospitable environ-ment. The shepherds and magi and angels that tell us, “do not be afraid.” The light that shines in the darkness, which the darkness cannot overcome.What could be a more apt Christian witness for our time. With its racial unrest, political divisiveness, wildfires, hurricanes and COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 will be remembered by many of us as an unusually dark year, when so many fears came to life. Thus, a year in which the bright light of God’s love could not be more life giving.As Jesus reminds us in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”A pared down Christmas has less shopping, less cooking, less traveling,

Burn bright with the light of God’s love

Pledge Drive Update & ReminderIt is not too late to make your 2021 financial pledge. Please do so online at https://trinitylc.org/giving/ or mail in your pledge card to the church office at Trinity Lutheran Church, PO Box 339, Stillwater, MN 55082.

Thank you to everyone who has already responded to the 2021 pledge drive. We are so grateful for your generosity! As of 11/15/2020, 334 families have made 2021 pledges totaling $1,051,928. Thanks be to God. As a result of your gifts, we have exceeded our 2021 financial goal and are closing in on our participation goal.

Your gifts will ensure that our faith community will remain vibrant in 2021. We are the church, GENEROUS in all circumstances.

Volunteers Needed!Trinity’s Stewardship Team is looking for a few more members to join our fun, creative and dedicated team. All you need is a heart for stewardship, a willing-ness to contribute, and a love for people. The time commitment varies during the year, but is rarely more than a few hours a month. Please contact Claudia Swendseid, Team Lead, for more informa-tion at [email protected].

2021 Financial Pledge Drive Update

0

200000

400000

600000

800000

1000000

1200000

2020 - 20201

$$ Goals & Results

2021 Results 2021 Goal 2020 Results

2021 Results = $1,051,928¹2021 Goal = $1,050,0002020 Results = $1,029,206¹ As of 11/15/2020

325 330 335 340 345 350

Category 1

# Goals & Results

2020 Results 2021 Goal 2021 Results

2021 Results = 334¹2021 Goal = 3452020 Results = 339¹ As of 11/15/202

less running around. Perhaps then, a pared down Christmas makes more room for us to take the light of Jesus into our hurting and broken world, a world that surely needs this light more than ever. To be a ray of light in our neighborhoods, at work and at school. This is Christmas, the holy story of God’s inbreaking into our human condition which we are called to share. • Where people feel there is no room

for them in this world, we can share that Jesus was born into a place with no room for him.

• Where people are afraid—for their families, their future, the state of the world, the future of the planet—we can lift up the angel’s words “Do not be afraid.”

• Where some feel like outsiders, we can share the shepherds’ joyous invitation to come and see, is an invitation to them.

• For those who feel the absence of love, the loss of hope, the sting of regret, give voice to the angels’ announcement that God favors them too.

Lord, help us to burn bright with the light of your love. Give us the courage and grace we need to lift our Christmas candles, to carry them out into the world where they can puncture the darkness around us.This then is Christmas every year—the truth of light over darkness, hope over despair; where we are God’s holy people and love wins. Simple. Amazing.“In Jesus was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” John 1:4-5

https://trinitylc.org/giving/mailto:[email protected]


LIFELONG FAITH FORMATION

ADULT FAITH FORUM

one & DONE BOOK GROUP

Light of the WorldBy Penny Catlin, Faith Forum Coordinator

As I look out my window today I see a natural world going into a state of rest. The gardens are done, seed heads remain where the flowers once bloomed, the leaves are off the trees and the sun is so much lower in the sky. It is sometimes a challenging time for me with so the increase in cloudy days and less daylight hours. But if I take a closer look I see the night skies become crisp with the winter constellations which brings a reminder that no matter the darkness there is always a special light in the world.

Advent is also a time where we wait and watch for the light of Jesus in the darkness that is present in the world. The Gospels of Matthew and Luke both tell of events that happened around the birth of Jesus. And there seems to be a lot going on!

Join on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83989674185

Amy-Jill Levine will help us explore the season of Advent in her four-part study, Light of the World. We will look at the different perspectives in Matthew and Luke. So many responses to the antici-pation of the birth of Jesus—joy, fear, wonder, questioning, trust, uncertainty and prophecy. What characters does one relate to? Of course there are Mary and Joseph, but also Elizabeth, Zechariah, Caesar Augustus, King Herod, Gabriel, angels, shepherds, Magi, Simeon and prophetess Anna.

Please join us in Adult Faith Forum Sunday Nov. 29 through Dec. 20 as we experience Advent together. Questions? Contact Penny Catlin at [email protected].

Please visit our web site for more information and meeting time: https://trinitylc.org/learning/adult/adult-ed/

Thank you! to everyone who participated in (and for your flexibility as the event was adapted to changing conditions) Trunk or Treat on Sunday, Oct. 25. We love your creativity!White too Long: The Legacy of White

Supremacy in American Christianity Monday, Nov. 30 at 6:30 pm on Zoom

It’s probably not a good time to invite you to discuss a book that brings not only discomfort, but extreme anguish. We are, after all, living in our own time of discomfort and anguish and just trying to get through it by looking ahead to the joy of Christmas.

We are deeply grateful for our loving faith community of good people who do good things. We are tuned in to our personal sin, but mostly blind to social injustice and our role in it. It is too overwhelming to confront historical atrocities.

However, every story proclaims the same message: the time for forgetfulness and silence is long past. I give you two thoughts from this book: – James Baldwin: “Love is the thing that can ultimately resolve the racial dilemma we currently [still] face.” – Robert P. Jones: “Love requires us to see who we really are and to respond to the voices still crying out to us from the ground.”

Contact Ann Wolff at [email protected] for the Zoom link.

https://us02webmailto:[email protected]://trinitylc.org/learning/adult/adult-ed/https://trinitylc.org/learning/adult/adult-ed/mailto:[email protected]


Worship Texts Below are the scripture texts from the Revised Common Lectionary that will be used on the date listed to prepare the message for worship.

Dec. 6 Mark 1:1-8

Dec. 13 John 1:6-8, 19-28

Dec. 20 Luke 1:26-38

Dec. 24 & 25 Luke 2:1-14, (15-20)

Dec. 27 Luke 2:22-40

WORSHIP & MUSIC

NLC if room

Drive-Thru Living NativitySunday, Dec. 13, 3-5 pm, Trinity Large Parking LotFrom the comfort of your warm car, drive by six vignettes depicting the events surrounding the Christmas story. There are many roles to fill to make this event come together safely. If you can help, please sign up online at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e45aca92ca5f94-living or contact Sheila-Marie Untiedt at [email protected] or 612-308-9994. See you in Bethlehem!

A Trinity first—drive-in worship in the snow!

https://www.signupgenius.com/mailto:[email protected]


Sundays, Dec. 6, 13 & 20 9 am Livestream Worship 10 am Drive-in Worship Advent Sunday worship is based on the Advent hymn/song “Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah.” The four Sundays of Advent will “banish the darkness” and prepare us for Christ’s coming with music, dance, preaching, praying, and of course on December 13 a Living Nativity.

Sunday, Dec. 13 Living Nativity3-5 pm Trinity’s Large Parking Lot Come experience a drive-thru live nativity including several scenes from the birth of Jesus, featuring Trinity members in the starring roles. Angels, shepherds, live animals, and music will bring Christmas delightfully to life. No reservations. Line up on 4th St. heading south and take your turn. A map will be included. (Blizzard date is Dec. 20, 3-5 pm)

www.trinitylc.org

Facebook Livestream>> www.facebook.com/trinitylcstillwater/

Online Worship>> www.trinitylc.org/worship-music/worship/online-worship/

Dec. 24 Christmas EveLate Afternoon Drive-in WorshipWeather permitting—outdoor Christmas worship at the drive-in. This will be a last minute call; check the Trinity website at www.trinitylc.org for time and more information.

Dec. 24 & 25 Christmas Eve & DayOnline Worship available at NoonThis will be a truly unique beautiful Christmas worship you can experience any time after noon on Christmas Eve via the Trinity website or the Trinity Facebook page—before dinner, after dinner, by candlelight at midnight, Christmas morning—with family and friends, or by yourself. Truly, we will pull out the stops, with carols, choirs, instruments, something special for children, and a Christmas message from Pastor Chris Bellefeuille.

Sunday, Dec. 279 am Livestream Lessons & CarolsTune in for a Lessons and Carols 2020! Again, though we can’t all be together to raise our voices in song—this will be a wonderful alternative—we guarantee it will be PBS worthy!

During this unusual time when everything is different and nothing is the same, we invite you to look to Advent & Christmas worship from Trinity as a solace—a place to center your life and bring the true meaning of Christmas into the month of December. The Worship Team looks forward to offering worship that is meaningful, timely and creative. Even though we can’t be together, we have found there are things we can do, and are excited to make this all available to you and your loved ones via your computer, smartphone or television.

http://www.trinitylc.orghttp://www.facebook.com/trinitylcstillwater/http://www.trinitylc.org/worship-music/worship/http://www.trinitylc.org


OUTREACH MISSIONS

Those experiencing home-lessness in Washington County will have access to shelter this winter!Even though Trinity will not host a Daytime Warming Space or Emergency Overnight Shelter in 2021—Washington County will use CARES funds and grant money to house those experiencing homelessness in local hotels this winter. Presently, Trinity members are assisting Washington County by assembling individual hygiene packages for men and women housed in the hotels.

Additionally, Trinity’s Homeless Steering Team is developing alternative ways individuals and organizations can provide support for those experiencing homelessness. Watch for this information in January. Meanwhile, we encourage everyone to support Community Thread’s Holiday Hope program that provides support for low-income families, older adults, and adults with disabilities during the holidays.

Questions? Contact any one of the Homeless Steering Team members: Jeff Anderson, Roger Funk, John Hodler, Mark Weber and Sandy Wendt. (Call the church office at 651-439-7400 to get in touch.) The steering team is a subset of the Outreach Missions Ministry Team.

News of Mwatasi: Ambassador Visit By Michele Hermansen, Outreach Mission Ministry Team Lead

Deacon April Trout, Pastor Msiigwa and Frank Mkocha from the Iringa Diocese visited the Mwatasi Lutheran Church on our behalf and at our request on Aug. 27. They delivered warm greetings from Trinity and a report about our ministries. The partnership with Mwatasi stands on the three pillars of our Bega Kwa Bega (shoulder to shoulder) relationship between the Iringa Diocese and the Saint Paul Area Synod: prayer, pres-ence and projects.

Picture the greeting they received—singing and ululating, perhaps some dancing! We know it was a celebration.

An exciting thing for us to learn is that the meeting was held in Mwatasi’s new Integrated Development Center (IDC) building for the agriculture and micro-finance cooperatives facili-tated by Iringa Hope. This is where members now purchase seeds and fertilizer and sell their crops from the village. Having this resource in the village provides financial and timing efficiencies, and ensures availability of quality seed and fertilizer. The micro-finance groups meet there also.

The report of the Mwatasi parish named the building of the IDC as one of the accomplishments of our partnership. We have encouraged membership in the Iringa Hope micro-finance and agriculture cooperative programs, and our members have contributed financially to Iringa Hope for its charter in Mwatasi and growth in the region.

Our partners also thanked us for these other accomplishments through the partnership:

1. Construction of five churches!

2. Bringing clean water

3. Refurbishing the pastor’s house

4. Supporting Scholarships each year (more on that below)

The challenges within the parish include:

1. Scholarships for the orphans

2. A bicycle or mobility cart for a handicapped member of the parish (more on that below)

3. Stolen water pump. Government is looking into the theft.

Our report from Trinity was presented and some questions were answered.

In our report, we shared how COVID-19 has affected our worship and community. We also acknowl-edged the existence and heightened awareness of racial inequality and white privilege in the country and in Trinity. We directly reached out to Mwatasi regarding any missteps we may have taken in our relationship due to our insensitivity or lack of knowledge. It was the first opportu-nity for a deep conversation with our partners since our team was in the village in October of 2018 and the next best thing to being there ourselves!

In terms of questions, the Tanzanian rural electric grid has now been extended to Mwatasi but is not yet completely installed in all of the village, including the portions where the old and new parish are located.

While we were in the village in 2018, Pastor Chaula facilitated numerous home visits with our team members who were not working on the water project. One of those visits was with Ibrahim, his mother and grandmother. Ibrahim is a 23 year-old member of the church who was born with significant disabilities, preventing him from being able to walk. We are happy to report that a hand pedal bicycle has been obtained in Iringa for Ibrahim and is being delivered to the Mwatasi Lutheran Church on our behalf, approved by the Outreach Mission Team.

Scholarships—we have been providing secondary school (our middle and high school equivalent) scholarships for children in need in the Mwatasi parish since our partner-ship began. Paving the way for all children to receive an education is an important part of the BKB relation-ship between our churches. The need for scholarships for children without parents who can provide for them continues to grow with the Mwatasi church’s growing evangelism reach. Evangelism and Children and Family


Ministry are two of the Mwatasi Church’s core strengths—what partners we have!

We need your help on an ongoing basis for scholarships for our Tanzanian partners!

Scholarships are need-based and average $450 each, allowing Trinity to sponsor 22 students with its annual funds. Post-secondary (college) scholarships average $825, allowing us to sponsor five students annually with its funds. Our goal is to enable the students who are in the system to complete their education, and as they graduate, a new student begins their education, continuing the cycle. As you read above, the need is even greater than our current level of support. Our baseline goal is to fund the current level of sponsorship. It would be wonderful to help our partners send more orphans to school!

Another strength of our Tanzanian partners is prayer, and they pray daily for us. Please remember to include them in your prayers as well.

Over the years, those who have travelled from the Iringa Diocese to our area have seen our homes, churches, schools and medical facili-ties and left with the impression of our privilege and wealth. Now in the pandemic they see us for the first time as vulnerable and they are deeply concerned about us. As Pastor Kirsten Levorson says: “Where we would respond by wanting to do something, they respond in prayer and have increased their fervent prayers for us, their American siblings.” She said that the language of the prayers included things like asking God to cover us and hide us from COVID-19, to build a fortress around us. And they are looking forward to hugging someday.

Thanks to God for this partnership that teaches and enriches us. May we be sheltered together in God’s compas-sionate and forgiving blanket of love.

Photos from the ambassador visit to Mwatasi and their new IDC building. You can also view a video message at: https://trinitylc.org/outreach/ways-to-serve/global/

Fund a full or partial secondary (middle/high school) scholarship at $450 or donor’s choice for a Tanzanian student in honor of your loved one

OR

Fund a full or partial post-secondary (college) scholarship at $825 or donor’s choice for a Tanzanian student in honor of your loved one

You will receive a beautiful Mwatasi, Tanzanian note card to present to the recipient in whose honor the scholarship is given.

Please include recipient information with your gift, payable to Trinity Lutheran Church, write Mwatasi Scholarship in the memo line.

Christmas Gift Idea!

https://trinitylc.org/outreach/ways-to-serve/https://trinitylc.org/outreach/ways-to-serve/


CONGREGATIONAL LIFE &

CONNECTIONS

GREENteamThe pandemic is surging; we just got through (well, sort of) an ugly and heated election. Everyone is tired.

Over the last month, it has been so calming for me to watch the birds and small animals in my community go about their lives. Getting ready for winter—gathering food, eating, storing food, getting ready for winter, and for some—migrating south! Bird visitors enjoying food at the feeders, muskrats working on their “lodges,” beavers are laying in small trees for their winter food supplies. Toads and frogs have found their winter homes in mud and leaf litter.

These creatures are not bothered by fear of illness, or fear of what’s next, or ugly emotions. They are living as they should, sure of their place in creation.

Now we wait for Advent, a time to quiet down, pause, take a few deep breaths and try to live as we should, sure of our place in creation.

Upcoming Glow/Awe EventsSeveral Glow/Awe team members met on a cold winter day on a screened porch to hash over ideas for possible events for the winter season. While all activities must follow the guidelines for safe distancing, outdoor events are the best choice for now, and the team is excited about the possibilities.

Christmas Stroll & Pizza Supper Thursday, Dec. 10 at 5:00 pm Washington ParkWe’ll gather at Washington Park (815 Greeley St. S—across from Lakeview Hospital). Get on the list by Dec. 8, send an email to Mary Soderholm at [email protected] will be a free will offering to cover the cost of the pizza and extra funds will be donated to Trinity Lutheran Church. Please bring a chair and beverage. Friends are welcome.In January a snowshoe/hike event will be offered at William O’Brien State Park. Date will be announced as we get closer. We’ll gather around a bonfire at Joan Fogelberg’s home in Marine, then set out up the hill to snowshoe/hike into the park. Watch for email updates from your Glow/Awe team. If you have questions about this event, contact Joan Fogelberg at: [email protected] encourage and welcome your ideas, so let us hear from you by contacting any of the following team members:• Sandy Wendt –

[email protected]• Donna Harder –

[email protected]• Joan Fogelberg – [email protected]• Sandy Weber –

[email protected] wish you peace and joy during these challenging times.

Place in CreationBy Sheila Maybanks, Green Team

Glow/Awe women take on winter weatherA hardy bunch of women met at Lake Elmo Park Reserve to celebrate friend-ship and the great outdoors. They hit the trails and spent time catching up at the Nordic Center.

MISSION STATEMENT: GLOW/AWE (God Loving Outdoor Women) and (Awesome Women’s Events) is a partnership committed to providing women of all ages and abilities, opportunities to expe-rience God’s creation through adventure, learning, sharing ideas and developing friendships. All are welcome to share in the joy of community and faith.

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Come and meet other singles and join this faith-based group where friend-ship and support is our mission.Nov. 3rd was a gorgeous sunny day and a pop-up event was called at Autumn Hills Park. Fourteen members attended for conversation and friendship.Each week we send a newsletter to members with valuable information and fun. To receive the newsletter or for more information about this group, please send an email to [email protected].

Meeting & Bible Study Wednesdays at 10:30 am Meeting on ZoomThe Retired Men’s Group meets via Zoom each Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. for a one-hour Bible study led by Pastor Steve Hokonson. Here is the Zoom meeting access information.

Zoom.us > Join a meeting Meeting ID: 872 5512 6414 Password: 964596

More information about this group at: https://trinitylc.org/congregational-life/connections/retired-mens-group-rmg/

The Light in Me sees and honors the Light in each of You

YogaDevotion Chair/Flow Combo ClassThursdays 9 – 10 am | Meeting on Zoom

January 7 – February 25 | $72 for 8 classesAll classes meeting on Zoom. Register to receive the link. Led by a trained yoga instructor, YogaDevotion is a practice of breath, prayer, and movement designed to encourage healthy living and a peaceful presence. For women and men of all skill levels and abilities. Beginners welcome, no experience needed!

Register and pay online at https://trinitylc.org/congregational-life/care/yoga/Questions? Contact Sue Peterson at [email protected].

You’re Invited to an Advent PAUSE Online GatheringThe special season of Advent is drawing near, and with it comes the Advent PAUSE (Peace And Understanding – a Season to Embrace) gatherings, this year online. This invitation is for YOU, to meet new women or gather in spirit with those you already know, and to give yourself a gift of time to pause. Advent PAUSE gatherings are for women of all ages: for friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, and more!

Advent PAUSE gatherings will occur around the week of Dec. 6-12. Sign up online at: https://trinitylc.org/congregational-life/advent-pause/.

For more information or questions, please contact Karen Gieseke at [email protected] or 651-492-6610.

Walking in the footsteps of our Trinity retired brothers on our journey with God!

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Advent and Christmas – A Sampling• B is for Bethlehem: A Christmas

Alphabet E I• Christmas in the Stable E LIND

(Astrid Lindgren)• Santa

Bruce E H

• Nate The Great and the

Crunchy Christmas JUV S• The Story of Christmas 232.9 SMIT

(beaming books.com)• Little Mole’s Christmas Gift E NELL

(beamingbooks.com)• The Christmas Box FIC Evans (A

Christmas classic)• Countdown to Christmas: 25 Stories

& Family Activities for Advent 248 GARB

• The Shepherd’s Prayer: A Christmas Novel 242.3 BARR

• Celebrating a Christ Centered Christmas: A Family Nativity Tradition 263 FREE

• Making Room for Christmas: Preparing a Place for the Christ Child 242.3 BROK

• The Women of Christmas: Experience the Season Afresh with Elizabeth, Mary and Anna 232.9 HIGG

• The Nativity: From the Gospels of Matthew and Luke (232.9 SAND)

Spirituality and Spiritual Direction – New to the Trinity Library An Adult Faith Forum regarding Spiritual Practices was presented by Trinity’s Connections Coordinator Zanny Johnson. Zanny recommends:• Ash & Starlight: Prayers for the Chaos

and Grace of Life 291 LEHN This collection of prayers and poems helps meet emotional needs.

• 50 Ways to Pray: Practices from Many Traditions and Faith 248. 3 BLYT Traditional prayer practices include Lectio Divina, Examen, Centering Prayer.

• In the Sanctuary of Women: A Companion for Reflection and Prayer 242 RICH This devotional book studies six women across the centuries and helps readers learn about God through their lives.

• Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings Through the Seasons RICH 234.1

• Cure for Sorrow: A Book of Blessings for Times of Grief 155.9 RICH Richardson, from her own grief, wrote blessings that helped her move through sorrow, offering solace and hope.

Trinity Authors Dawn Bennett, a daughter of Trinity and parents Joe and Cheryl Bennett, has published her first book! The Touch Crisis: Navigating the Tricky Terrain of Bringing Healthy Touch Back to Our Culture (615 BENN), an Amazon Bestseller. Dawn built an award-winning practice serving touch-deprived clients and traumatized clients. Dawn shares a personal journey to healing, the research and tools she found give direction to families, workplaces and communities. We are grateful to have received an autographed copy, “May God’s love help you heal. With love, Dawn”Spike Carlson, recently published A Walk Around the Block: Stoplight Secrets, Mischievous Squirrels, Manhole Mysteries

& Other Stuff You See Every Day (And Know Nothing About) (508 CARL) This Booklist Starred book is a “…celebra-tion of the seem-ingly mundane. Carlsen opens our eyes to the engi-neering marvels, human stories,

and natural wonders right outside our front door.” Spike writes, ”This awesome world isn’t just a spectator sport. It’s symbiotic; it influences us, and we influence it.” Search the Trinity Library for more books by the best-selling author of A Splintered History of Wood (620 CARL), Spike Carlsen. The Trinity Library has a multitude of resources for Advent and Christmas to support you with the gifts Jesus provides us: Hope, Peace, Love and Joy. We are grateful to support you in your learning and delight in reading.The Trinity Library Team: Doreen Johnson, Cynthia Fransen, Barb Martin, Andrea Eckman and Norma Wilson

Reading in All Circumstances By Norma Wilson, Library Volunteer

Service Provided! Books to bring Hope, Peace, Love, Joy and Jesus

Contact Norma at 651-470-5124 or [email protected]

Physically-distanced selection, delivery or pickup available from the Library Team. Let us know! Faster than sleigh delivery!

Bookclub recommendation from Trinity member, Karen Gieseke who works at Luther Seminary and devel-oped the current Trinity Library space.

Jambo Books Jambo Book Club sends members 2-3 age-appropriate books each month that feature children of color as the stars of their own stories. Jambo Books show children of color in situations where children’s literature rarely places them – making friends, raising pets, loving grandparents and fighting dragons. Visit jambobooks.com

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THANKYOU!

• To family and friends of Carol Mereness

• To family and friends of Gary Baggott

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY


WORSHIP ATTENDANCEOct. 18Live viewers ...... 71Views/week ..... 294Drive-in ............ 123Oct. 25Live viewers .....110Views/week ..... 307Drive-in ..................Canceled due to weather

Nov. 1Live viewers ...... 92Views/week ..... 328 Drive-in .............111Nov. 8Live viewers ...... 69Views/week ..... 284 Drive-in ............ 165Nov. 15Live viewers ...... 86Views/week ..... 385 Drive-in .............. 80

Because God

first loved us,we live as Jesus in the world,

loving God and loving neighbor.

Exceptional WorshipRadical HospitalityAuthentic CommunityLifelong Faith FormationCompassionate Action

why trinity?

core values

welcomeTo read our full welcome state-ment please visit our web site at www.trinitylc.org > WELCOME > WHO WE ARE > RECONCILING IN CHRIST.

Publication Number: USPS 509650Published once per month by Trinity Lutheran Church, 115 4th St. N, PO Box 339, Stillwater, MN 55082Editor, Design & Layout: Marilee TangenSome images from freepik.comArticles for the next Trinity Today (January issue) are due Monday, Dec. 14, to begin arriving in mailboxes Wednesday, Dec. 23. Office: 651-439-7400; Fax: 651-430-2935 Email: [email protected] Trinity Today is available on Trinity’s web site at www.trinitylc.org (click NEWS to download a PDF).Postmaster: Send address changes to Trinity Lutheran Church, PO Box 339, Stillwater, MN 55082. © Copyright 2020 Trinity Lutheran Church, Stillwater, MN

WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIESSUNDAY WORSHIP • Livestream on Facebook at 9 a.m.• At the Drive-in at 10 a.m.• Watch on TV at 11 a.m. Watch Worship on local channel 18 through Valley Access Sunday 11 a.m.Wednesday Noon & 6 p.m.Thursday Midnight & 6 a.m.Saturday 11 p.m.

trinityTODAY

CALENDARPlease see the calendar on our web site for events, meetings and other happenings at Trinity. The calendar has been updated with online events. Thank you for you patience as we keep it up to date in an ever-changing time. Please let us know at [email protected] if your group or event is not listed. View the calendar at: https://trinitylc.org/calendar/

The group helps with land-scaping and also weeds the Trinity parking lot and surrounding areas. If you are interested in helping, please contact Sandy Wendt at [email protected].

Trinity’s landscaping team was lucky to spend a beautiful fall afternoon at Kathy Hagen’s home. Ron led the group on Hagen State Trail through the beautiful Red Pines on their land.

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PeriodicalPostage Paid atStillwater, MN 55082-0339

115 4th St. N • Box 339 Stillwater, MN 55082 • 651-439-7400

trinityTODAY

Trinity’s Christmas Garden & Local Benevolences Gift OpportunitiesForm and payment must be turned in by Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020

In the spirit of honoring/memorializing loved ones this Christmas, we welcome donations toward local benevolences such as St. Croix Chaplaincy and Valley Outreach Emergency Fund and Food Shelf, or a Christmas Garden. (Christmas Garden will be used to beautify the sanctuary for online worship on Christmas Eve and through the winter, preference is for local benevolence giving.) Donor names will be printed in the January issue of Trinity Today. Please fill out the form below and mail it with your payment to the Church Office at PO Box 339, Stillwater, MN 55082. Thank you!

r Local Benevolences $ ___________________

r Christmas Garden (suggested donation $20) $ ___________________

In memory of __________________________________ In honor of ______________________________

Given by ______________________________________________________________________________

Phone # (____________)_____________________________ Total amount enclosed $ _______________

TODAY€¦ · festivals this year, is going to be . different. But like these major seasons in the...

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Transcript of TODAY€¦ · festivals this year, is going to be . different. But like these major seasons in the...