Print/view the July 2019 Tidings in PDF Format

Dear Siblings in Christ,

Some routines and ministries remain the same in every season. One of those is Visitation Ministry. This is a group of people who see our members who are home bound. There are 23 people on the list right now and the list is constantly refined based on a person’s changing desire for visitation, health concerns, and schedule.

When people go to visit, they share the news of the congregation, bringing with them a recent bulletin or Tidings. They keep our members informed. They also bring communion, pray, and read scripture. How do they know how to do this? With a little instruction and by shadowing another Visitation Minister. The volunteers for this ministry would love to take you along sometime if you’re interested in learning more. It is a wonderful ministry and recently we gathered for a meeting. Here are a few things the Visitation Ministers had to say:

• {The person I visit} always thanks me but I really get a lot out of it too!
• All parties involved benefit!
• I think there is something connecting the people we visit with the life of our church.
• The Holy Spirit told me this is something I should do.
• When I go to the nursing home, I go to each room where the door is open to say hello.

Of course, you don’t have to sign up for Visitation Ministry to share the Good News, the joy of Christ, or the news of Trinity Lutheran Church. You can simply live with love and interact with others speaking the name of Jesus or the church. Remember that the truth of Jesus’ love for all people IS a healing, healthy Word for all to share. In Proverbs 16:24 the Bible says, “Pleasant words are flowing honey, sweet to the taste and healing to the bones.” The Word of God is the most pleasant Word we can share.

Sunday School News

Opportunities for a rewarding experience! Become a part of the Sunday school team.
At the end of the Sunday school season a few of our teachers and aides stepped down. We give thanks for their loving service to our Sunday school program. Please put this opportunity to become a part of the Sunday school team into your prayers. An area of need for the next Sunday school season is working with the 6th grade class. There are openings for 1 teacher and 2 aides.

Sunday school volunteer staff commit to a flexible schedule, where they commit to teach or assist about every other week. Teachers need to prep a lesson using the Sunday school curriculum. Aides assist with child management by helping students stay on task and assisting with projects. Aides do not prepare or teach lessons unless they desire to do so.

Interested? Contact Julie Vurva at 563-4145 ex. 4 or julievtlc@yahoo.com.

Looking for a few musicians
The Sunday school program is seeking a piano player and/or a guitar player who would enjoy helping Julie Vurva and Pastor Amy lead music during the Sunday school opening sessions from 9:30-9:45 on Sunday mornings. Contact Julie for more information.

Building Task Force Updates

Volunteers needed for occasional outdoor work:
Throughout the summer and early fall there will be a need for volunteers to pull weeds and water flowers. If you enjoy doing this type of work, please sign-up at the Sign-Up Center bulletin board. You will be contacted by a member of the building task force with further information.

Volunteers needed for doing touch-up painting in the church hallways:
The Building Task Force will be organizing a group of volunteers to do some touch-up painting in the church hallways this summer. If you enjoy doing this type of work, please sign-up at the Sign-Up Center bulletin board. You will be contacted by a member of the building task force with further information.

Youth and Families

The Summer Service Trip is in just a few short weeks!
We are looking for Prayer Buddies.

Every day on our trip at 7 p.m. we stop and pray for the people we have served, the world, each other and the people we love. We have stopped in a cave and prayed, we have stopped at the movie theater and prayed. Wherever we are at 7 p.m. that’s where we pray. Then we call our prayer buddy and chat about our day and the work we have done. All you have to do is also stop at 7 p.m., say a prayer in kind and wait for us to call you for a quick chat. We love the connection that this gives us to our congregation while we are gone. If you are interested, please contact Kitty or pick up a Prayer Buddy form at the office and hand it back in before July 15.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

***Please join us on our sending Worship service on Thursday, July 25

Message from Synod Vice President & Prayers for Healing for Bishop Thomas-Breitfeld

Dear Friends in Christ,

This is to let you know that as of June 12, Bishop Viviane Thomas-Breitfeld is on medical leave. A communication was sent to all rostered ministers (pastors and deacons) of SCSW congregations and specialized ministry settings on June 12.

We ask that you pray for Bishop Viviane to be surrounded by God’s healing presence. We also ask that you respect her privacy and give her the space to become healthy again. As information becomes available, we will update you in a timely manner.

The Executive Committee has appointed Rev. Steve Kottke as Acting Bishop, effective immediately, pending further confirmation of that appointment by Synod Council. Please contact him with any needs you might have. His contact information at the synod office is:

Email: stevek@scsw-elca.org Phone number: (608) 270-0201

If you need to arrange a meeting with Acting Bishop Kottke, please contact Director of Operations, Executive Administrative Assistant to the Bishop, Robyn Zimmerman who manages his calendar at (608) 270-0201 or robynz@scsw-elca.org.

Please also pray that the Lord will provide all that is needed to Acting Bishop Kottke, the Synod Staff, the Synod Council, our leaders, to navigate the waters ahead with vision and grace.

Blessings,

Jane Cahill Wolfgram
Vice President
South-Central Synod of Wisconsin

Pastor Amy’s vacation schedule

Pastor Amy will be out of the office from July 10-23 for Sabbath rest. Thank you to Kitty Sawyer and Rich Vurva who will lead worship in her stead. If you should have an emergency and you desire to speak with a pastor, you can reach Pastor Mike from St Luke’s in Rome at (262) 593-2380. He will be on call for Pastor Amy.

There will be no worship service Thursday, July 4.

Fellowship opportunities

Have you ever wanted to do something but you didn’t want to go by yourself? There are countless activities that are a lot more fun when you have one or more people with you. Golfing, biking, hiking, fishing, bowling, walking, or even going to dinner or a movie are a few examples. The fellowship group is looking for people who would be interested in putting their name and phone number on an activity list who would be interested in having someone call them to join in an activity. If enough people sign up for any given activity, someone on the list might be interested in organizing a group outing. Look for a sign-up sheet at the Sign-Up Center if you’re interested in learning more.

Thanks for giving

We have filled five nice size boxes of soap for Lutheran World Relief! If you’ve forgotten, you can still bring full-sized bar soap, any brand, in original wrappers, to add to the four bars we couldn’t fit into the other boxes. Soap is so important after natural disasters and to displaced persons.

We’re off to a good start

As of June 3, donations to the Quarters Can Make a Difference container have totaled, $135.22. A great beginning to providing scholarships for impoverished children to attend school in Guatemala. That is slightly ahead of last year ($133.22). Everything costs more now, but the poverty is still pervasive in the slum area where the women’s cooperative UPAVIM works and runs the school. So donations are appreciated more than ever! In 2017 we raised $1,267 and last year it was $1,350. Can we top those figures this year? Together with God, we can!

Just remember to place your spare change in the container each time you attend worship. We also gratefully accept quieter cash and checks! Thanks for caring.

New Member Class 7/28 at 8 a.m.

Are you or someone you know interested in becoming a member of Trinity Lutheran Church? We’d love to have you! RSVP to Pastor Amy or Beatrice in the church office at (920) 563-4145. New members will be welcomed at worship on Aug. 1 and Aug. 4.

School Kits for Lutheran World Relief

During the summer months, Trinity and congregations around the country will show our love for our global neighbors by preparing School Kits to donate to Lutheran World Relief for distribution to children in need around the world. Individuals that would like to help provide us with the items necessary for these backpacks, can use the list below when purchasing the supplies. The supplies should be put into a plastic bag, labeling it LWR School Kit. Kits can be placed in the blue bin in the education hallway during the summer months, up until Rally Day.

• Four 70 sheet notebooks or wide or college ruled paper, 8″ x 10″
• One 30 centimeter ruler, or a ruler with centimeter on one side, inches on the other
• One pencil sharpener
• One blunt scissors (safety scissors with embedded steel work well)
• Five unsharpened #2 pencils with erasers (secured with a rubber band)
• One box of 16 or 24 crayons
• One 2 1/2″ eraser
• Five black or blue ballpoint pens…no gel ink (secured with a rubber band)

Please remove any excess packaging from the items. Thank you!

We are in need of notebooks and pencil sharpeners

We have 37 kits already!!

Prayers requested for . . .

Marsha Anderson, Sandy Anderson, Vern Borchardt, Lisa Brunk, Dean Brunk, Andrew Campbell, Rhonda Cook, Linda Doerr, Isaiah Gravelle, Kim Hannan, Ellyse Jacobs, Renee Jensen, Steve Mepham, Dan Morrow, Bill Peterson, Julie Recob, Shelly Weber Shaitel, Jeremy Schepp, Ruth Smithback, Mary Theil, Bill Theil, Carol Topel, Karen Weber, Donna Weeks, Lori Williams, and those we name silently in our hearts.

We are updating our system

We are in the process of updating a new computer system that maintains our membership list. You can help by downloading this PDF form, printing it, filling it out and returning it to the church office. Don’t have access to a printer? No problem. You can stop by the office or send an email to Bea at officetlc314@gmail.com to request a form.

Trudy’s Room

Trudy’s Room is dedicated to fostering the well-being of infants and young children by facilitating the donation, collection and distribution of furniture, clothing, diapers and other basic supplies to families while assisting them to achieve economic independence. Trudy’s Room is being housed at First United Methodist Church in Fort Atkinson. Download this PDF to learn more and to make a donation.

Print/view the June 2019 Tidings in PDF format

Download the June 2019 calendar in PDF format

Jesus said to him, “Stand up, take your mat and walk.” (John 5:8)

In theory, since the man can now walk, he has no need of the mat. But Jesus specifically instructs this man, laying sick for 38 years, to take the mat with him even though he is now healed. Why? Jesus instructs the man to carry his mat as an outward expression of his history, a scar visible for the world to see. He is healed but, boy, does he have a story to tell! A story showing, once again, that an encounter with Jesus leaves us changed forever. We have stories like that, too. The time when we felt called to reach out to someone. The mission trip that made such an impact. The hymn that means so much because we sang it as children. The prayers we’ve prayed that were answered in unexpected ways. We’ve encountered Jesus and been changed in both simple and profound ways.

Part of our faith as Christians is to carry our mat and share our encounter with Jesus. But after a significant change, it’s hard to be reminded of the past, of what happened, of who you once were. This man can now walk; does he really want to carry that mat as a sign of who he was?

Think about all the phases Trinity has been through from being founded 76 years ago in a community hall to building on this site; from charter members organizing this body to new members joining just this past February; from the first Pastor serving to my being Pastor today. Our past shows growth, change, service, and that God continues to make things new. Trinity has a story to tell about encountering Jesus!

I pray that this summer you will think about Trinity’s story and ponder how we’re encountering Jesus today. I hope you’ll share with others the story of Trinity and how God is making things new here…again!

In peace,

Pastor Amy

Sunday School News

Opportunities for a rewarding experience! Become a part of the Sunday school team.

At the end of the Sunday school season a few of our teachers and aides stepped down. We give thanks for their loving service to our Sunday school program. Please put this opportunity to become a part of the Sunday school team into your prayers. An area of need for the next Sunday school season is working with the 6th grade class. There are openings for 1 teacher and 2 aides.

Sunday school volunteer staff commit to a flexible schedule, where they commit to teach or assist about every other week. Teachers need to prep a lesson using the Sunday school curriculum. Aides assist with child management by helping students stay on task and assisting with projects. Aides do not prepare or teach lessons unless they desire to do so.

Interested? Contact Julie Vurva at 563-4145 ex. 4 or julievtlc@yahoo.com.

The Sunday school program is also looking for a piano player and/or a guitar player who would enjoy helping Julie and Pastor Amy lead music during the Sunday school opening sessions from 9:30-9:45 on Sunday mornings. Contact Julie for more information.

Building Task Force Updates

Volunteers needed for outdoor work:
Throughout the summer and early fall there will be a need for volunteers to pull weeds and water flowers. If you enjoy doing this type of work, please sign-up at the Sign-Up Center bulletin board. You will be contacted by a member of the building task force with further information.

Volunteers needed for doing touch-up painting in the church hallways:
The Building Task Force will be organizing a group of volunteers to do some touch-up painting in the church hallways this summer. If you enjoy doing this type of work, please sign-up at the Sign-Up Center bulletin board. You will be contacted by a member of the building task force with further information.

VBS

Come join us as we Follow That Star!

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great delight (Matthew 2:10)

Kick Off—Sunday, June 9 10:45 a.m.

Everyone is welcome! Directly after worship, join us at Barrie Park (Fellowship Hall if it’s raining). Bring a dish to pass, we’ll provide hot dogs and brats! We’ll also provide lemonade and place settings. We’re having some extra tables delivered but bring a lawn chair or blanket if you like. We’ll provide some games for the kids at 10:35, have lunch at 11 and then have some fun songs before we go home. Bring the family! You don’t have to be in VBS to join in the fun!

VBS— Monday thru Thursday 9:00—11:30 a.m.

Each day there will be a fun opening with songs and skits. We will rotate through story time as we Follow the STAR! There will be art, great outdoor games, cool science experiments, a discipleship missions room, yummy snacks and each day we end with more music and fun!

If you haven’t signed up yet, here’s the link.

This year one of our VBS rotations is discipleship and service. We will be focusing on service both locally and globally. One of our projects is teaming up with Ruth Circle to make school kits to donate to Lutheran World Relief for distribution to children in need around the world. We are hoping to break our record of 150 kits that Ruth Circle distributed last year! Below is the list for the contents of the kits. If you would like to donate items but would prefer to donate money instead, LIFT will do the shopping for you. Just make sure you write LIFT school kits on your envelope.

4 – 70 sheet notebooks, college ruled
1 – 30 centimeter ruler or ruler, or one with cm on one side and inches on the other
1 – pencil sharpener
1 – blunt scissors
5 – unsharpened #2 pencils with erasers
1 – box of 16 or 24 crayons
1 – 2 1/2 inch eraser
5 – black or blue ball point pens ( no gel ink)

A grocery cart will be set up in the hallway to collect donations.

Community happenings

Have you heard of Project Maria? We’re a non-profit organization based in Rock County that supports those struggling with eating disorders. Our journey began in 2016 after Trinity member, Shauna Wessely, lost one of her students to anorexia nervosa. In an effort to create a positive legacy and to help others impacted by eating disorders, Shauna and Maria’s best friend, Rachel, co-founded Project Maria.

What started as a small idea has grown into hosting monthly body-positive yoga sessions, offering a support group for loved ones impacted by an eating disorder, and distributing information (both via literature and public presentations) about eating disorders. We cannot continue to grow, however, without support. Thus, we hold an annual Art Jam and Expo at which we have presentations, a silent auction, yoga, face painting, food trucks, and much more. This celebration enables us to fund our mission of “finding friendship in the fight against eating disorders.” This year’s Jam will be on Sat., June 15 from 5 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Milton High School. We’d love to see you there, accept a donation, or have you as a volunteer for the event if you feel so moved.

For more information, check out projectmaria.org, find us on Facebook, or send us an email at projectmariarockcounty@gmail.com.

Communion & Community!

Summer Worship Thursdays at 7

Come as you are: from the ball game, the pool, your own back yard!

Doors open at 6 p.m. for hanging out, visiting, you can even bring your dinner and eat with Pastor Amy.

Many thanks to Trinity

On April 27, Trinity welcomed Women of the Elkhorn District to a conference. Rave reviews continue to be heard! Thanks to the Sunday School students (K-3rd grade), for decorating placemats. Thanks to Stephanie Beran for organizing not only the two meals that were served, but for her guiding hand and “can do” attitude. To the many people that brought food, your kindness is so appreciated. And to the tireless workers in the kitchen-many many thanks!! Trinity shined bright on April 27.

Much gratitude,
Sheryl Phillipson

Prayers requested

Marsha Anderson, Sandy Anderson, Vern Borchardt, Andrew Campbell, Rhonda Cook, Linda Doerr, Isaiah Gravelle, Kim Hannan, Renee Jensen, Steve Mepham, Jeremy Schepp, Ruth Smithback, Mary Theil, Bill Theil, Karen Weber, Donna Weeks, Marlene Zick and those we name silently in our hearts.

We are updating our system

We are in the process of updating a new computer system that maintains our membership list. You can help by downloading this PDF form, printing it, filling it out and returning it to the church office. Don’t have access to a printer? No problem. You can stop by the office or send an email to Bea at officetlc314@gmail.com to request a form.

Trudy’s Room

Trudy’s Room is dedicated to fostering the well-being of infants and young children by facilitating the donation, collection and distribution of furniture, clothing, diapers and other basic supplies to families while assisting them to achieve economic independence. Trudy’s Room is being housed at First United Methodist Church in Fort Atkinson. Download this PDF to learn more and to make a donation.

During the season of Lent, five local congregations worshiped together on Wednesday’s at noon. This year Trinity Lutheran was the host congregation and members from St Peter’s Episcopal, Grace United, First United Methodist, and First Congregational UCC all gathered for worship and luncheon.

A free will offering was given by worshipers to go toward any outstanding balance on lunch accounts in the district. Tom Dembski, manager of the school’s Student Nutrition Program, expressed thanks for the generous gift of $1,000. He said that 50% of Fort Atkinson’s elementary school students receive free and reduced lunch but “not everyone qualifies” and some families get “stuck in the gap” where a little help would make a big difference. The Fort Atkinson School District does not turn children away if they cannot pay for meals. The clergy group, who were responsible for identifying a project to support, felt confident that the generosity of members would help students, families, and the school district.

The Fort Atkinson Clergy Group wishes to thank all those who donated faithfully to this project. Together we can make a difference in our community!

 

Print/view the May 2019 Tidings in PDF format

Download the May 2019 calendar in PDF format

Christ is Risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!

The tulips and daffodils are risen too but so are the weeds and my yard needs work! In previous homes, we’ve steadfastly tilled up land and planted our gardens. Neat rows of vegetables sustained us through the summers and lined our shelves with canned goods for winter. I’ve always considered gardening to be a spiritual practice, after all you kneel before the Creator to work in creation. Yet over the years I’ve learned that although I am a keen planter, I’m a poor weeder! Our schedules and lives have changed since the days of little boys and me being a stay-at-home mom. This year we won’t be adding to a garden because we cannot care for more than we have right now. Frankly, we don’t want to lose enthusiasm for what has been a happy hobby for us by overwhelming ourselves.

Enthusiasm (in planting), maintenance (in caring for said plants), and self-control (to plant what can be well cared for) are values of backyard gardeners and farmers everywhere. The Bible teaches that God is the Creator and we are the created, tasked with caring for God’s creation whether we’re gardeners, farmers, or consumers. We each have a role to play in the care of God’s creation and part of caring for creation is caring for one another.

On May 19, our worship will focus on the Creator and the created. We’ll honor those who work the soil and raise animals to provide our food. We’ll recognize farmers and gardeners and those caring for the grounds at Trinity in particular.

Please join us for the “Blessing of the Seeds” on May 16 & 19 as we pray for God’s abundant blessings in worship. Bring a friend who gardens or farms! All are welcome.

In Easter Joy,

Pastor Amy

Senior Pastor call process update

Calling a senior pastor is a special time of reflection and prayer for a congregation. We’ve worked hard as a congregation over the last year to transition together into our next phase as a church family. I would like to provide an update about the status of Trinity’s current call process.

First, I offer sincere thanks to Candy Milan, Warin Behselich, Aurelio Callope, Jill Fuller, Lori Godfrey and Eric Lonsdale for representing the Congregation on the Ministry Site Profile Team. They have worked very hard on our behalf to build a profile that will be used in Trinity’s search for senior pastor.

The Ministry Site Profile was developed from information gathered during congregational surveys, transition team work and the site profile team themselves. A ministry site profile will provide our call committee with the leadership strengths and needs Trinity is looking for in a senior pastor. It gives a picture of the congregation to candidates as they consider serving here. Finally, the profile gives the congregation voice and opportunity to be involved in the process.

With the site profile completed and submitted to the Synod, council has appointed our call committee consisting of Jerry McGowan, Diane Lonsdale, Warin Behselich, Vicky Hayes, Abby Kucken and Tyson Barnes. Over the next several weeks, our call committee will prepare for the interview process working closely with the Synod Office, the congregation and prospective candidates to identify our new lead pastor.

Pastor Amy has completed her Rostered Leaders profile and submitted her paperwork to the Synod for consideration as a senior pastor. This is the process any candidate would follow to seek a lead pastor role in our Synod. The call committee hopes to have an opportunity to view the profile and interview her as a candidate.

Please pray for this group as the Holy Spirit leads them through this important time in our church.

Respectfully,

Matt Anderson
Trinity Church Council President

Homeless Task Force

A Homeless Task Force has been started by The Churches, Ministries, The United Way and Jude Hardwick and many businesses in the City of Fort Atkinson.

The purpose is to help the homeless and needy families with a wide variety of needs such as housing, vocational training, food, and legal services.

Please join us at the city wide meeting 5/21/19 at 6:00 p.m. at United Methodist Church.

Vern Borchardt is turning 100!

Our very own Vern Borchardt is turning 100 on May 27! Vern is a WWII Veteran and his family asks the community to pitch in to make this a special birthday for him by sending a birthday card. Send a card in care of his daughter to:

Lenora Borchardt, 7027 Fawn Lane, Sun Prairie, WI 53590.

Birthday cards and address labels available in the narthex.

Blessing of the Seeds

As our farming community and backyard gardeners alike get ready to plant, we gather to give thanks to God the creator; to ask blessing on the crops, land, and livestock; to praise God for everything God has made.

When: May 19 during worship at 8:15 and 10:45

What: Special prayers and blessings for those who farm and garden, the seeds and plants, tools and animals

Where: Trinity Lutheran Church, 314 Barrie

 

Volunteers needed

Saturday May 11, 2019 at 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Jefferson County FMSC MobilePack

503 North Jackson Ave, Jefferson, WI 53549

Trinity is signed up for 40 volunteers. Sign up sheets are outside the narthex on the Sign Up Center Board.

FMSC offers volunteers a one-of-a-kind experience. You’ll hand-pack rice, soy, dried vegetables and a nutritionally complete blend of vitamins and minerals into bags which are then sealed, boxed, placed on pallets and shipped to our incredible partners working hard to reach the neediest children around the world.

Through volunteering at FMSC, you’ll get the chance to impact hundreds of kids in just two hours per packing shift. You’ll experience what it’s like to make a tangible difference today.

Other Info:
Arrive 10-15 minutes early
No Jewelry
Wear closed-toe shoes

What is the minimum age for volunteering?

The minimum age for volunteering is 5 years old. For safety reasons, children under the age of 5 are not allowed to participate in packing sessions. We require the following adult to child ratios for school and church groups:

• Grades K-2: 1 student to 1 adult
• Grades 3-6: 3 students to 1 adult
• Grades 7-9: 4 students to 1 adult
• Grades 10-12: 5 students to 1 adult

Please note: Everyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult (an adult is someone 18 years of age or older).

Sunday school news

May 19 is the last day of Sunday school for this season. Students in grades 4K-6 will praise God through song in our worship services. Students with last names beginning N-Z will sing at the 8:15 service, and students with last names beginning A-M will sing at the 10:45 service.

Students, please sit with your family. If you are unable to attend your assigned service, please attend the service that works best for your family. We look forward to a joyous service!

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing.” Psalm 100: 1-2

Opportunities to be a part of the Sunday school team

At the end of this Sunday school season, a few of our teachers and aides will be stepping down. We give thanks for their loving service to our program. Please put this opportunity to become a part of the Sunday school team into your prayers. There are a few Sundays left in this season – would you like to help in a classroom for a few Sundays to see how rewarding it is? Contact Julie Vurva at 563-4145 ex. 4 or julievtlc@yahoo.com.

Christian Education Committee updates

The Christian Education Committee will be hosting a luncheon on May 19 to honor all of the volunteers involved in the Sunday school program. We look forward to celebrating their dedication to Christian Education. As our Sunday school program nears the end of this season, please take time to thank the teachers and aides who volunteer their time and talents to share God’s Word with the children at Trinity Lutheran. They make our programming possible.

Crossways Camping Ministries Opportunities

Check out the brochures that highlight all the camping opportunities at Crossways Camping Ministries. Their summer 2019 program guides are on the table in front of the main office. Opportunities include family programs, grandparent and kid programs and youth programming.

Building Task Force updates

An energetic group of people gathered on April 13 to tackle some outdoor and indoor tasks. Trinity’s doors are now numbered outside, with coordinating numbers on the inside. These were put up to enhance communication with emergency responders. The church yard was raked, bushes trimmed, the church nursery, adult education room and hearth room were cleaned, the fence along the lower part of the parking lot was stabilized, along with other clean up tasks. A big thank you to everyone who gave of their time for Trinity’s Spring Clean-Up.

The Building Task Force will meet again on Monday, April 29 at 6:00 p.m. to identify the next set of tasks.

The Kitchen Committee, which was formed before the task forces were put into place but since has attached itself to the Building Task Force, has been working for months on making critically needed updates in the kitchen. At one time there was a proposal to completely gut the kitchen and then rebuild it with new equipment, cabinetry and dishwasher line. That complete package has been placed in the round file. What was desperately needed was to replace the stove/oven, refrigerator, dishwasher line, and the grease trap. The committee has divided the overall plan into two phases.

Phase 1 was to replace the 40+ year old stove/oven (neither oven was working), replace the large refrigerator which had a slow Freon leak for many years resulting in breakdowns usually at critical times, and replace the grease trap which has been wrapped in towels for well over a year. The committee secured a quote from Kavanaugh Restaurant Supply in Madison for a 36-inch, 6-open burner stove with one oven and a 36-inch, Convection Oven with 5 racks (increases our capacity by almost triple what the old stove/oven did), and a large 74-inch , double door , 6-adjustable rack refrigerator. The quote includes delivery and placement (but not hook up) and removal of the old equipment. The cost of the quote was $10,860 including a 5% contingency to cover the hook up cost (the refrigerator only required plugging in but then settings had to be reestablished) the stove and oven required outside contractor to split and hook up new gas lines. The equipment was delivered on 4/4/19, the hook up was completed 4/5/19 and the test run completed on 4/6/19 and our first meal was served 4/7/19 following the fantastic talent show. Also, the grease trap did get replaced before the new equipment arrived and it was done through maintenance money from the budget.

The Kitchen Committee will be meeting in the next few weeks to complete the quote for Phase 2 which will involve the replacement of the dishwasher line with a true dishwasher and require the closing of the doorway that leads to the restroom off the kitchen to make room for a three compartment sanitary sink washing station. The Kitchen committee consist of Stephanie Beran, Kitty Sawyer, Mike Wendt, Tim Sawyer and Ron Michaelis. If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please let them know.

Hospitality Task Force updates

The Hospitality Task Force has continued to meet to discuss ways that Trinity’s hospitality for current and new members as well as visitors and potential members can be enhanced. On April 28 name tags designating ushers, greeters and hospitality host will be blessed and usage will begin. Persons serving in these roles will be identified so they may serve as a resource for questions, directions and other needs as identified. Our other current project is revising the volunteer/talent questionnaire. Drafts of this will be presented to the task force as well as co-leaders of other task forces the first week of May. It is anticipated that this will be distributed to all members mid-summer so current files may be updated prior to beginning our fall season. If you are interested in joining this task force or have other ideas you’d like us to consider, please contact Marla Michaelis, Jeanne Stark or the church office.

The Fellowship committee is working on organizing a group outing to a Brewers game this summer. The Sunday game options are rather limited, so June 30 at 1:10 p.m. vs. Pittsburgh looks like the best option. All fans that day also get a Prince Fielder bobble head!

Tickets will be $19 each with no service fees (where the real savings come in), in the Terrace Reserved/400 level. The earlier we order, the better chance of getting a block of seats together on the right field side (out of the sun). Tickets will likely be ordered the first week of May. If interested, please contact Ron Martin no later than May 7 with your name, number of tickets desired, and phone number. Also, if you’d be willing to carpool and give a ride to parishioners who don’t drive, let Ron know that as well. Thanks and God bless.

Ron Martin cell: 608-220-5949 Email: rmartin333@charter.net

During the season of Lent, five local congregations worshiped together on Wednesdays at noon at Trinity. A free will offering was given by worshipers to go toward any outstanding balance on lunch accounts in the district. Tom Dembski, manager of the school’s Student Nutrition Program, expressed thanks for the generous gift of $1,000. He said that “not everyone qualifies for free and reduced lunch” and some families get “stuck in the gap” where a little help would make a big difference. The clergy group, who were responsible for identifying a project to support, felt confident that the generosity of members would help students, families, and the school district. Well done generous givers! Let us continue to unite our dollars to make a difference in God’s kingdom!

A gift to LIFT

Longtime members Duane and Thelma Schumacher gave a cash gift to LIFT in celebration of their 70th Anniversary. They love the LIFT kids’ service trips and how they help others. So Duane and Thelma decided to help them help others. You too can give a gift to LIFT! Consider giving a dollar a year of life or marriage to help fund this summers Mission Trip. Give a gift to LIFT today! It is a gift that keeps on giving.

Summer Worship Opportunities: Thursdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 9:30 a.m. beginning May 26

Want to keep up with our Bishop and Synod happenings?

Subscribe to the synod newsletter by emailing Deacon Vicki at vickih@scsw-elca.org. You’ll be added to the weekly email that shares events in our South Central Synod of Wisconsin and the whole ELCA. Anyone can subscribe!

It’s Soap Time

During the month of May, we will be collecting bath size bars of soap, any brand in their original wrappers, for Lutheran World Relief. Soap is so needed after people experience natural disasters or is forced to flee their homes. Please bring soap and place it in the box in the narthex.

Thanks!

Quarters Still Make a Difference

In May, the quarter container for donations reappears and will be near the Bible rack as you come into church. Remember that all monies given will go to provide scholarships to the UPAVIM school in a slum area outside Guatemala City. Many children cannot afford the uniform and school supplies to attend school without these scholarships. Please give generously each time you come to worship. Even your loose change can make a big impact on a young life and help end the cycle of poverty they are born into.

Volunteers Needed

Volunteers are needed to help distribute food at the Fort Atkinson Food Pantry during the month of May. No prior experience is required. We work together as a group. Volunteers should be at the Pantry no later than 2:45 pm. The Pantry is open on Mondays and Thursdays from 3:00 pm. until 5:30 pm. You will find a sign-up sheet on the wall across from the hearth room. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Thank you to the volunteers and the people who made salads and desserts for the noon community Lenten luncheons hosted by Trinity.

Your assistance and contributions were greatly appreciated.

Prayers requested for . . .

Marsha Anderson, Sandy Anderson, Ken Borchardt, Vern Borchardt, Andrew Campbell, Rhonda Cook, Linda Doerr, Isaiah Gravelle, Kim Hannan, Renee Jensen, Jeff Kaufman, Steve Mepham, Jeremy Schepp, Ruth Smithback, Don Reinders, Karen Weber, Shiloh Weber, Donna Weeks and those we name silently in our hearts.

Youth and Families May 2019

VBS 2019 – Follow That Star!

Kick Off—Sunday, June 9 10:45 with picnic to follow!

VBS begins Monday—Thursday mornings, June 10–13 at 9 a.m.

Come join us as we Follow That Star!

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great delight – Matthew 2:10

There will be fun games, delicious snacks, cool science experiments, amazing stories and Much Much More!!

Register Online https://trinityfort.org/follow-that-star-vbs-registration/

Confirmation

Wednesday, May 1, 6:00-7:00
Confirmation Class—7th Grade

Sunday, May 5, 9:30-10:30—All

Wednesday, May 8, 6:00-7:00
Confirmation Class—8th Grade

Wednesday, May 15, 6:00-7:00
Confirmation Class—7th Grade

Sunday, May 19, 9:30-10:30 All

Wednesday, May 22, 6:00-7:00
Confirmation Class—8th Grade

WOW

Thursday, May 9, 7-8 p.m.
Thursday, May 23, 7-8 p.m.

LIFT

Wednesday , May 1, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 15, 6:30 p.m.

View the May 2019 Trinity calendar

Download the May 2019 calendar in PDF