05/26/22 Tidings

A Message from Pastor Madeline

I’ve written and rewritten this greeting countless times, trying to find words when it feels like there are none. The recent mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, comes on the heels of separate attacks in Laguna Woods, California, and Buffalo, New York.

We notice how such violence happens close to home and far away, to people we know and to strangers we soon get to know through extending compassion and support. The diverse demographics of the subjects involved do matter, even as we strive for solidarity to transcend race and geography. Hate crimes and attacks on vulnerable children are forms of targeted violence that make ripple effects; echoes of terrorism, racism, and legislative inaction that haunt our communities.

People are grieving and living in fear, longing for solutions that go beyond preemptively identifying individual attackers or exacting punishments when it’s too late. Aware of some consternation, I bring the reminder that no one is politicizing a tragedy when calling on our lawmakers, when seeking to update policies to solve our community problems and prevent future tragedies. I also bring the reminder that we can call on our lawmakers while also calling on God. And you have permission to be angry. Calling on God isn’t restricted to well-behaved piety and silent weeping. In the spirit of the Psalms, it is a good day to yell at God. Today, I turn to Psalm 74, which I encourage you to read in its entirety, with special attention to these lines:

11 Why do you hold back your hand; why do you keep your hand in your bosom?

19 Do not deliver the soul of your dove to the wild animals; do not forget the life of your poor forever.

20 Have regard for your covenant, for the dark places of the land are full of the haunts of violence.

21 Do not let the downtrodden be put to shame; let the poor and needy praise your name.

22 Rise up, O God, plead your cause

We are a church who will continue to gather in praise of God and shouts of confusion. We extend help within and beyond our community. We do outreach like Big Faith Bible Camp, our VBS week in June, and Meals on Wheels to feed our neighbors. I continue to be inspired by how you turn fear into grit and hospitality, God’s work, our hands.

~Pastor Madeline

Congregational Meeting 6/12 After Worship

We have less than a year of life left in our roof, so we are seeking congregational approval for a new roof. There are currently three layers of shingles on the current roof, which is why the entire roof needs replacing instead of repair. After taking a look at multiple bids, Reliable Roofing came out on top as the best company for the job. The total cost of the project is just over $80,000. Your vote counts, so please plan to attend the meeting right after worship on June 12!

Summer Sunday Schedule Begins 5/29

8:30 a.m. Coffee & Conversation
Hearth Room & Patio

9:00 a.m. Worship
Sanctuary

10:00 – 10:30 a.m. Coffee & Conversation

Bubbles & Sidewalk Chalk provided for patio play!

Pentecost Project – Helpers Needed

Pastor Amy and Anders Clarksen (they/them) need help making origami doves. Don’t know how? That’s okay! We will walk you through it. Only skills needed are a willing heart and ability to fold paper. Meet Pastor Amy: between services on Sunday 5/22, Tuesday 5/24 at 11 a.m., and/or Thursday 5/26 at 5:45 p.m. You’ll learn to make origami doves and why doves depict the Holy Spirit. All ages needed and wanted!

Pentecost + Senior Sunday June 5

Come to pray over graduating students, enjoy coffee and cupcakes before and after worship, and see our Pentecost art installation!

Now More Than Ever, Quarters Make a Difference

With May, the quarter container for donations reappears. Look for it on the table in the Narthex as you enter the sanctuary. Remember that all monies given will go to provide scholarships to the UPAVIM school in a former garbage dump area outside Guatemala City. Many children cannot afford the uniform and school supplies to attend school without these scholarships. More than half this country’s population is affected by poverty. There are gangs and violence on the streets, but the UPAVIM school is a safe oasis where children and the community can learn. The co-operative also offers the community daycare, health and dental care, a library, a soy milk facility and a bakery – all because a few women and a U.S. Lutheran woman began to work together to improve their children’s health.

Please give generously each time you come to worship. Even your loose change can make a big impact on young lives and help end the cycle of poverty they are born into. You can also donate regularly via Tithely. Thank you for being God’s hands to the “least of these.”

Little Free Pantry

The Little Free Pantry is in need of a volunteer to fill the pantry on the 2nd and 4th Mondays and Wednesdays of the month. If interested, please contact Becky Tuttle at bjtuttle@charter.net or Polly Schull at pollya@charter.net Thanks!

VBS: Big Faith Bible Camp

Big Faith Bible Camp

June 13-16

8:30am – Noon

Cost: Free

For registration and more information, check out the church website: www.trinityfort.org/vbs

Important Notice!

Railings outside of the building will soon be taken down for maintenance . Please use caution while using the stairs, or use door #7 at the top of the parking lot. The railings will return shortly.

Meals on Wheels volunteers needed

Sign up to help deliver meals to home-bound Fort Atkinson residents during the month of June! Contact Toni Hrobsky at 920-728-2383 or tonihrobsky@yahoo.com with questions or to sign up.

Trinity Hikers

Here’s our next hike, that we’ll lead, on Saturday, June 18 starting at 10 a.m. Green Loop, about 5 miles, of Scuppernong Trails.

As always, bring water, snacks, hiking poles/stick, bug spray, hat, etc. We can shorten the hike on that day if needed.

We’ll go out for lunch afterwards for those who have extra time and are comfortable with this. Any questions, contact Aurelio at 262-490-4923 or callopeand86@gmail.com.

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/wisconsin/scuppemong-loop

Thanks from Council!

The Trinity Council would like to thank everyone who participated in the 1st Annual Trinity Jubilee. It was great fun and a way to shine a light on the talents and gifts of members, share wonderful food, and have meaningful social interaction that we missed during COVID. We learned so much more about people that we commune with. Trinity is truly blessed and we look forward to our 2nd event next spring!

Thank You So Much

The Lenten collection for the Fort Atkinson Homeless Coalition surpassed expectations (and isn’t that just like God, and Trinity Lutheran Church)!

Through your generosity, our offerings during this special season netted $5,666 for the local, much needed ministry. The STAR group thanks you from the bottom of our hearts, and so does FAHC!

Prayers Requested For . . .

Paul Fuller (father of Nate Fuller), Curtis Hoeffer, Rich Folger (great-uncle of Shauna Wessely), Pearl Luebke, Marv (Nicole Schafer’s dad).

Do you have a prayer concern? Email the prayer force at prayerforcetlc@gmail.com. People will gladly pray for you or your loved one with their whole hearts!