EWALU Day Camp & Vacation Bible School Thank You!
Thank you to all of those who participated and volunteered for the EWALU Day Camp & VBS programs in June. The program week went well and the kids had a wonderful time.
JULY TRINITY TIDINGS
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July Trinity Tidings Newsletter:
As a council, we received information from the Synod regarding the upcoming transition. I read the words, “Times of transition raise anxieties in the congregation. Sharing helpful, appropriate and timely information as the call process proceeds is important.” It goes on to say that we should provide information about progress (or lack of progress) to help ease anxieties. We will do our best to communicate through this transition. One way to do this is by referencing the “Overview of The Call Process” included in this issue of Tidings. It will also be inserted in the upcoming bulletins, posted in the narthex, and published on the church web page.
Currently, the council is working on the following priorities:
- Filling the Vice President council position: We are a community because of the leaders who step up and serve their time. I’m very fortunate to be serving with a devoted group of individuals on council and we are looking for others to join us. We are looking for someone willing to lead Trinity through the pastoral transition and finding the right person has been challenging. Please consider this leadership position and speak with a member of the council if you have questions.
- Searching for Call Committee members: Our goal is to keep the Call process moving by setting up a Call Committee, and meeting with the Office of the Bishop at the beginning of August. The committee will be approximately seven members (including a Chairperson) and we are looking for those who have an interest in being a part of the selection of the next Pastor of Trinity. Confidentiality is of the utmost importance on this committee. We would like to do our best to keep this committee diverse of gender, age and representing various segments of our congregational ministries and a mixture of new and longtime members.
- Working with the Office of the Bishop to appoint an Interim Pastor. Currently we have Pulpit Supply pastors set up for the month of July. Please help by showing our appreciation to lead us in worship and making them feel welcome at Trinity. It’s important to note that a pulpit supply pastor does not have duties in the weekly responsibilities of a church and is not on call for emergencies. We will do our best to fill the needs as they arise and we need to rely on each other to communicate these needs.
- July 7: Pastor John Meyer
- July 14: Pastor Dave Young
- July 21: Pastor Paul Ostrem
- July 28: Pastor John Meyer
Please, provide your support for our community by considering to serve on a committee or assisting with responsibilities that may be “missed” during this transition. We are also asking for your support of faith through prayer. Please keep the Borkosky’s, council, call committee, congregation and any pastors who may consider serving our congregation in your prayers.
Lastly, we have many who serve the community “behind the scenes” and I’d like to make sure we make an extra effort to recognize each and every person that plays a role in the mission of Trinity. We are incredibly blessed to have a dedicated congregation that sees the connections and miracles at work. I see this at work every week at Trinity. A great example is our EWALU Day Camp; there were dozens of individuals who stepped up to make this a success. Trinity has experienced its share of pastoral transitions in the past 153 years. This time around, I have great hope and confidence that our community will pull together, showing its strength in each other and the call of our mission to serve God.
Respectfully,
Sharon Blanchard
Council President
We are Trinity:
Created by God, Renewed by Christ, Transformed by the Spirit, to Share God's Love
JULY Birthdays & Anniversaries
Birthdays
1--Joe Berger
1--Hilary Klyn
4--Doug McKechnie
5 --Robert Christen
6 --Mary Ann Christen
9--Amanda Hartkemeyer
10--Mark McDonald
12-- Sandy Zuber
14 --Karly Bandy
16 --Liam Cronin
17 --Jason Dingbaum
19 --Janet Plotz
20 --Mick Berger
20--Angie Dunlap
21 --Tom Johansen
21 --Larry Tow
23 --Carrson Hartwig
23 --Tiffany Traver
24--Eric Brownlie
25--Kari Landuyt
26-- Ajay Erickson
27 --Anna Smith
27 --Susie Hahn
27--Michelle Christian
30 --Abbey Johnson
31 --Janelle Bandy
Anniversaries
1 Don & Janet Plotz
10 Joel & Barb Kimm
15 Nathan & Jenna Pickart
27 Tron & Janelle Bandy
28 Dwain & Sue Jordt
We apologize for any errors or omissions. If you notice any mistakes, please contact the church office.
Trinity Announcements
Trinity is welcoming visiting pastors in the month of July.
July 7: Pastor John Meyer,
July 14: Pastor Dave Young,
July 21: Pastor Paul Ostrem, Office of the Bishop,
July 28: Pastor John Meyer.
Please help us make them feel welcome!
Transition Update from the Council
At this time, we are working with the Synod to find a part-time Interim Pastor to meet our needs during the call process. Our next steps will be to establish a Call Committee and complete paperwork for the Call process. Please keep the Borkosky’s, council, call committee, congregation and any pastors who may consider our congregation in your prayers. Council members welcome your questions.
ELCA Policy on Former Pastors
Travis, Julie and Maddie will be transferring their membership to a local congregation. After Pastor Travis leaves our congregation, he will not be available to conduct or even participate in such events as funerals, weddings, hospital calls, emergency calls or any other functions normally carried out by a pastor in a congregation.
Adult Bible Study
Join the Adult Bible Study after fellowship continue the book “Twelve Ordinary Men” by MacArthur. The book is about the twelve ordinary men and their journey to become apostles of Jesus.
Summer Outdoor Services
We’re looking forward to warmer weather and outdoor services on the first Sunday of each month. Mark your calendars for August 4th and September 1st. Feel free to bring a lawn chair, a jacket, and a pair of sunglasses. If unpleasant weather, we’ll move the service inside.
Help needed Community Bonfire--SAVE THE DATE!
Come join us for an organizational meeting to make our Community Bonfire Day on July 27th a success. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall after Worship on Sunday, July 14th. It will be a fun day and we will be utilizing our Park Area here at the Church. Hope to see many of you there.
Summer Communication & Giving options made possible by Tithe.ly website and App
Welcome to summer! We know schedules get busy and we will be doing our best to keep up on the website for bulletins, sermon videos, and other news. There are opportunities to receive our monthly newsletter and by giving online through Tithe.ly! Use the website or download the app and search "Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church" and pick Walford. Options are available for one-time or recurring giving.
Cereal boxes fight hunger
The special guest speaker of the 2019 Synod Assembly, Wendy Davidson, who is the President of US Speciality Channels, Kellog North America presented Bishop Michael Burk with four specially printed boxes of Corn Flakes as a gift.
The boxes were “sold” during the Saturday morning plenary session of the assembly. The going rate for the limited edition boxes was a gift to ELCA World Hunger of $100 or more with a match by several individuals meaning each box was worth several hundred dollars. The boxes became a catalyst for those assembled to give as a commitment to the synod’s anti-hunger identity. Those gathered at the assembly in West Des Moines gave generously with more than $5500 raised to fight hunger locally and around the world.
If you would like to give, donate through the button below (be sure to select ELCA World Hunger on the form)
Or mail your check to the Southeastern Iowa Synod, 2635 Northgate Dr., Iowa City, IA 52245. Checks can be made out to Southeastern Iowa Synod with ELCA World Hunger in the memo line.https://seiasynod.org/synod-news/cereal-boxes-fight-hunger/
“Thank you, God”
Every week, when 8-year-old Chase met with LSI’s Pastor Dennis Bauer, he would ask to pray for “the same old thing: to find a good, loving forever family.
”Chase is in third grade. But in his young life, he has already experienced trauma most of us cannot fathom.At age 6, he witnessed his mother’s desperate struggle with substance use and was removed from his home for his own safety.
Eventually, his mother’s parental rights were terminated, and Chase felt even more alone.Confused, terrified, and shocked – like any 6-year-old would be – Chase struggled to cope with his anger and emotions.He acted out and became physically aggressive. Chase needed help, and LSI’s Beloit Residential Treatment Center in Ames offered that help.
After arriving at Beloit, Chase quickly became involved in LSI’s voluntary Spiritual Life program, where he participates in faith-based activities like art and music. Through regular meetings with Pastor Dennis, Chase says he is focusing on his faith and “trusting in God and saying prayers.”Outside of Spiritual Life, Chase is also learning healthy skills through group therapy to help him cope on the difficult days. His favorite part of school is art class, and his Beloit team has learned to use his love of art to help him express his emotions in a positive way. His favorite ways to calm down are through hands-on activities like drawing, coloring, or building Lego structures.“We’re really proud of what Chase has accomplished,” says Cassie, a member of LSI’s Beloit team. “He’s able to verbalize what he is feeling when he’s upset now, rather than acting out.”Chase remembers the exact day – August 5, 2018 – when he decided he wanted to make a change for good.“I was sad that I couldn’t see my mom, but I just decided I would try really hard to be good,” he says. “Once I did that, I thought ‘I should do this all the time!’ I’ve changed and it’s because of Beloit.”
Now, Chase is thriving. His confidence is building every day. Earlier this year, he attended Lutheran Day on the Hill, LSI’s advocacy day, at the Capitol building in Des Moines with 200 LSI team members, clients, and other partners to advocate for child welfare services in Iowa.Chase has big plans for his future. He wants to be a surgeon when he grows up, and he dreams of learning to bake and do woodworking. He can’t wait for the day when he can bake brownies and make sandwiches and mac and cheese for his friends and family.And the immediate future is looking pretty bright, too: Chase is in the process of being adopted.During a recent visit with Pastor Dennis, Chase prayed a different prayer: “Thank you, God, for giving me a family.”
Worship Assistants for July 2019
July 7th (Outdoors)
Comm. Bread: Intinction
Comm. Assistant: Sheri McKechnie
Comm. Prep: Karen Wacker
Greeters: Donna Brownlie and Janice Risdale
Lector: Joann Stearns
Ushers: John Pegump, Joel and Barb Kimm Counters: John Pegump and Lauri Tow Childcare: None
July 14th
Comm. Bread: Anna Smith
Comm. Assistant: Shirley Warnke and Susie Hahnn
Comm. Prep: Laurie Tow
Greeters: Blanchard Family
Lector: Shirley Warnke
Ushers: John Pegump, Steve and Cindy Dudley
Counters: Traci Johnson and Tammy FrameChildcare: Barb Norton
July 21st
Comm. Bread: Paula Pasbrig
Comm. Assistant: Paula Pasbrig and Barb Kimm
Comm. Prep: LeeAnn Olson
Greeters: Brad and LeeAnn Olson
Lector: Karen Wacker
Ushers: John Pegump, Brad Olson, and Larry Tow
Counters: Casey Frame and Iva Clinton
Childcare: Abbey Johnson
July 28th
Comm. Bread: Deanna Freese-Miller
Comm. Assistant: Connie Pegump and Marsha Berger
Comm. Prep: Iva Clinton
Greeters: Darlene Larson and Karen Nesheim
Lector: Doug Kimm
Ushers: John Pegump, Chuck and Karen Bachman
Counters: Doug Kimm and Kelli Haerther
Childcare: Barb Norton
Trinity Lutheran Church
Council Meeting Minutes
June 4th, 2019 6:30 PM
________________________________________________________________________________
Council Members Present: Pastor Travis Borkosky, Sharon Blanchard, Casey Frame, Tammy Frame, Doug McKechnie, Kelli Haerther.
Synod Lutheran Present: Pastor Paul Ostrem.
Meeting called to order by President Sharon Blanchard at 6:30 pm.
The minimum order for a quorum was present (5).
New Business
- Exit Interview - Pastor Paul Ostrem and Pastor Travis Borkosky
- How Long at Trinity Lutheran: 5 ½ years
- Reason for Coming:
- It was “East” and closer to family and the eventual area they’d like to settle.
- The Call Committee showed great insight on the congregation. They were a few steps ahead of where the congregation was.
- Encounters didn’t line up sometime.
- Greatest Fulfillment:
- Small Groups such as the Wednesday morning Bible Study
- One on One Pastoral Care - honored to be a part of visits, funerals, etc.
- Love for Reading - he’s read 60 books in the past two years.
- Words - Preaching - Writing. He feels his delivery for his sermons has improved.
- Middle School interactions - clarity and chaos together.
- Greatest Frustrations:
- Previous Pastor (David Mosher) made multiple attempts to connect with Travis. This was uncomfortable and inappropriate. His desire to connect with community and maintain relationship with congregation.
- Indirect communication with Pastor. There was a perception that “others have his ear” and there is a triangle communication that exists.
- Benefits - specifically his health benefits - were expensive but put responsibility on Pastor Travis. Cost of the pastor is with family benefits. It was hard to support a community that doesn’t support him.
- Distrust of Pastoral Office - his insights/wisdom and experience was discounted. It may not have been personal - maybe cultural.
- No communal sense of ownership of what happens here - if there is a problem a finger is pointed.
- Idea - grant authority to groups to do a task yet what he experienced is that when the group brought it back to the larger group and it got picked to pieces. “Undermines community.”
- VBS Example
- A recent situation with a member where he’s responsible for his actions. He felt that the community took it out on his wife and daughter. The actions were a disconnect with the “family of TLC” idea we portrayed.
Pastor Ostrem shared that his thoughts have now been heard and hopefully sharing them provides Pastor Travis with some release.
- Congregation’s Greatest Gifts
- Location
- Facility - property - assets
- TLC has everything we need - let’s use it
- Debt Free - Facility
- Congregation needs to change these to grow:
- Seek new ways to serve the Walford area (IE: day care, community use of church grounds on the other side of the creek)
- Focus to connect with people - and not worry about whether they come through the door.
- Grow in faith together - specifically Adult Education.
- Hope to be carried on:
- Move to rethink stewardship.
- Unrealized potential of TLC:
- Location and facility
- Internship site
- Consider other ways to use facility
- Ask the question “Who is God calling TLC to be now?”
Synod Session - Next Steps with Interim and Call Process
Pastor Ostrem passed out a booklet with information to guide the Council and Call Committee through the Transition to search for a new Pastor for Trinity.
- New Resource: “New Beginnings: Walking Together” curriculum for pastoral transition
- First 18 months with Pastor, Synod, President and Call Committee Chair, 1 year ministry review
- Transition
- Set up Pulpit Supply for the Month of July. Pastor Ostrem will be available to preach one Sunday in July.
- Hoping to have an Interim by August. He has someone in mind.
- Closure - It was recommended to host a Farewell Celebration on his last Sunday (June 30th).
- Interim Needs (Paperwork needs to be filled out by the Council and returned to Pastor Ostrem)
- Payment
- Part-time Interim (25 hours per week)
- Complete Pages 34-35 (Paperwork needs to be filled out by the Council and returned to Pastor Ostrem asap)
- Special Services
- Teaching - Council needs
- Severance Package Negotiation:
- It’s the recommendation of the synod to announce the severance package with the congregation - keep open communication and trust through this process.
- Pastor Travis has earned 2 weeks of vacation.
- Synod advocated for a 4 week full benefits package.
- Negotiated to pay out the 2 week vacation and a 2 week, 3 day severance payment to complete the month of July. This will be dependent on the completion of shared tasks agreed upon by the Council, Pastor and Synod. Sharon Blanchard made the motion to pay out the 2 week vacation and 2 week, 3 day severance pending fulfillment of the completion of the shared tasks. Kelli Haerther seconded the motion. Motion carried.
- Questions regarding the interim period and call process should be channeled through Sharon and she will contact Pastor Ostrem. The following is Pastor’s contact information: Pastor Paul D. Ostrem (Assistant to the Bishop). 319-631-8029 or 319-338-1273.
Treasurer’s Report -
Checking account balance on 04/30/19 $ (6,596.01). Total May Receipts: $ 8,264.50. Total May disbursements: $ (11,495.62). Checking account balance on 05/31/19: $ (9,827.13).
Worship Committee Report
- Katie Barber welcomed on the Worship Committee
- Need for Vice President
- Christmas in July project
Property Committee Report
- Highway Cleanup
- Culvert - Iowa DOT?
Education Committee Report
- Sunday School- last day was on May 19th. Planning for next year was talked about in a previous meeting and a meeting will be set this summer after Day Camp to finalize plans for next year.
- High School Group- Total profit from the Women's Brunch was $840! Another youth event is not scheduled at this time
- EWALU Daycamp & VBS continue to be planned. A "Prep Day" will take place on June 2nd from 1-4 to help divide out supplies for the week and see what else is needed. Advertising will be placed in various businesses.
Old Business
- Vice-President and Worship Committee Council replacements- Update
Future New Business
- Policy Reviews:
- Facility Use Policy Review
- Wedding Policy Review
- Funeral Guidelines/Policy
- Review Inactive Members List
- Follow-up in July meeting
- Schedule Education focus group
- Beaver issue with trees
- Purchasing janitorial supplies
- June 2nd Focus Group was not done - how do we continue?
- Assemble Call Committee
Correspondence
- Dixie Beyers Thank You for the May Day Basket
Minutes Respectfully Submitted by,
Kelli Haerther
Church Council Secretary
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E-NEWS SUBSCRIPTION
Sign up sheet is on the bulletin board in front of the office, emailing the church office, or click E-News please write your name and email address to receive monthly Trinity updates.
Summer Communication & Giving options made possible by Tithe.ly website and App
Welcome to summer! We know schedules get busy and we will be doing our best to keep up on the website for bulletins, sermon videos, and other news. There are opportunities to receive our monthly newsletter and by giving online through Tithe.ly! Use the website or download the app and search "Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church" and pick Walford. Options are available for one-time or recurring giving.
Adult Bible Study
Join the Adult Bible Study after fellowship continue the book “Twelve Ordinary Men” by MacArthur. The book is about the twelve ordinary men and their journey to become apostles of Jesus.
Transition Update from the Council
The Council met with Pastor Paul Ostem from the Office of the Bishop during its regularly scheduled council meeting on June 4th. An Exit Interview was conducted with Pastor Travis and Pastor Ostrem walked the council through the next steps with the transition we will be experiencing at Trinity.
Council had an in-depth discussion with the Assistant to the Bishop regarding the conditions at Trinity. The SEIA Synod strongly advocated for a 4 week severance pay for Pastor Travis due to the circumstances of his resignation. Pastor has earned 2 weeks of vacation that begins in July. Trinity negotiated to then continue payment of full salary and benefits through the end of the month upon completion of agreed-upon terms met by June 30, 2019. At this time, we are working with the Synod to find a part-time Interim Pastor to meet our needs during the call process. Our next steps will be to establish a Call Committee and complete paperwork for the Call process. Please keep the Borkosky’s, council, call committee, congregation and any pastors who may consider our congregation in your prayers. Council members welcome your questions about this process.
ELCA Policy on Former Pastors
Travis, Julie and Maddie will be transferring their membership to a local congregation. After Pastor Travis leaves our congregation, he will not be available to conduct or even participate in such events as funerals, weddings, hospital calls, emergency calls or any other functions normally carried out by a pastor in a congregation.
Summer Outdoor Services
We’re looking forward to warmer weather and outdoor services on the first Sunday of each month. Mark your calendars for July 7th, August 4th and September 1st. Feel free to bring a lawn chair, a jacket, and pair of sunglasses. If unpleasant weather, we’ll move the service inside.