November 2019 Trinity Tidings

Dear Trinity,

This past month I attended the Bishop’s Convocation, which is an annual event in our synod for all rostered leaders. (This year it was in Dubuque instead of Lake Geneva so my absence was more noticeable.) This was one of the best fall convocations I’ve ever attended!

First of all, I was able to meet our Interim Bishop, Pastor Peter Rogness. He was genuine and accessible. Bishop Rogness also presented a reasonable plan to re-shape the bishop’s election process, which he rightly credited to synod council. For future elections at synod assemblies, a slate of vetted candidates for office of the Bishop will be presented to the body for election. Much the same way a congregation is presented with a candidate in a call process, so the synod will have a choice of candidates that have been through a thorough process. That said, it is my understanding that an election will not be ready by May’s synod assembly.

Second, the collegiality of Bishop’s Convocation is a gift. It’s amazing to hear what is happening in other people’s contexts. Rural congregations and urban settings! Confirmation classes and nursing home worship. Prison ministry and homeless shelters. There is a team within our synod working on racial justice. There is a team within our synod working on Reconciling in Christ, which works for full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people within congregations. The Spirit moves in this synod!

Finally, the presentation itself was simply a gift. The speaker was Rev. Dr. Wayne Mueller who spoke about Sabbath, as in the oft overlooked command from God to rest. In fact, he translated that Hebrew for us from Genesis. We most often say that on the seventh day God rested. Rev Mueller reminds us that the same word can mean ‘exhale.’ God exhaled. That breath you’re holding? Exhale. The stress you’re hanging onto? Exhale. The to-do list? Exhale. Rest. Exhale.

Sabbath rest is an important practice even when it happens breath by breath.

Peace to you,

Thank you for participating in the Sunday school’s Food Pantry Collection. We had three grocery carts full of food to take to the Fort Atkinson Food Pantry! Thank you to Gary Thom for helping transport the food. God’s Work – Our Hands

Thank you for the world so sweet.
Thank you for the food we eat.
Thank you for the birds that sing.
Thank you, God, for everything!

Sunday
December 1
4-6 p.m.

It’s time to put up the Christmas tree and get ready for the Advent Season.

6:30 p.m.

All high schoolers welcome!!

Jr. & Sr. high schoolers
Wednesday, Nov. 13

Gift card order forms and vendor lists will be out on Tuesday, Nov. 26.
Gift card orders will be placed on Mondays, Dec. 1, Dec. 8 and Dec. 15.

I am looking for volunteers to be on a Youth Ministry team to plan the future of youth ministry at Trinity. We would meet periodically throughout the year.

The Giving tree will be set up in the front hallway on Tuesday, Nov 26.

We will have over 10 families that we will be supporting this Christmas. All you have to do is take a tag or tags from the tree. Each tag will have suggestions for you.

There will also be tags for monetary donations that will go toward Christmas dinner and additional food items.

First Communion Instruction for All Ages is offered because age simply cannot define when a person is ready to receive communion. This class requires a parent to attend with their child and is a beginning step in a life-long learning about God’s Holy Supper. Parents know their children best. Does your kiddo have questions about communion? Do they love to pray with you? Ask big questions that leave you stumped? Do you believe your child is ready to engage with God in this Holy meal?

If you have questions, speak with Pastor Amy or Julie Vurva. We welcome the opportunity to think this through with you. Call us to register at (920) 563-4145.

First Communion is celebrated on Nov. 26 at the 7 p.m. Thanksgiving Worship. Followed by Trinity’s Pie Fest, this is a night of abundant celebration!

Weather Announcements

The below resources will have most update information on Trinity’s Closings

WFAW
CHANNEL 3000
Trinity’s Facebook page
Trinity’s Website

DID YOU KNOW?

Tabs from aluminum cans (soda, beer, soup, etc.) have been collected here at Trinity for some time now? These tabs are being delivered to the Ronald McDonald House by Tiffany Albrecht. The Discipleship Ministry Team met with Tiffany to hear her story and get the details of the program. On Nov. 7 and 10, Tiffany will present a “Ministry Moment” at the church services to share her Ronald McDonald House experiences with the congregation.

Thank you!

A huge thank you to all the special people who donated food or helped in the kitchen, and in some cases did both, for the lunch after Service of Thanksgiving of Rod. We received a lot of good comments about the presentation and content.

Lavonne Wittwer

Addresses for Trinity’s College & Tech Students and Service Members

Did your young adult move to school or go into the service? STAR group is looking for the addresses of current Trinity college and tech students and service members for their card ministry. Email the office at officetlc314@gmail.com or fill out an index card in the Narthex.

Please include their birthday too. Thank you!

Pie Fest

Nov. 26 after 7 p.m. Thanksgiving Service.

Items needed for Pie Fest other than lots of PIES:

4 cans of Redi-Whip
2 gallons of Milk
3 gallons of Ice Cream
6 helpers to cut, serve and clean up

Please sign up for the above items and/or pies on sign up sheet outside the Narthex.

Discipleship Ministry Team

A Discipleship Ministry Team is being formed and we would like you to prayerfully consider becoming a part of it. Team members shall be responsible for the outreach of this church to members and the community. This team will seek to lead all members in deepening their spiritual connection through study and action; extend Christian compassion and helpfulness to the ill, the aged, the orphaned, the underprivileged, the imprisoned and, in general, to persons of all ages in need of aid in body and soul. Some project considerations at this time are the Ronald McDonald House, Trudy’s Room, Feed Your Soul, Christmas Neighbors, and Food Pantry.

Please contact one of the following people if you are interested in joining the Discipleship Ministry Team: Beatrice in the church office, Vickie Steinke at (920) 563-2860, or Sharon Stade at (920) 650-9103. We will be meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m.

The Homeless Coalition

Trinity Lutheran Church is joining forces with other local congregations who’ve organized to assist the homeless population in Fort Atkinson. The Homeless Coalition of Fort Atkinson Inc. (hereafter HC of FA) is a non-profit charitable organization whose mission “shall be to enhance the quality of life for persons and families who need assistance and a place to live.” Our vision is “that we believe everyone shall have a place to call home.” We are organized to help the homeless and those on the verge of homelessness (transitional), in the environs of the School District of Fort Atkinson.

The HC of FA is looking for volunteers who are willing to stay overnight at the emergency shelter (location TBD) when temperatures drop below 15 degrees. One male and one female are needed per night and will receive training and background checks. Volunteering is on a rotation basis. If you have questions, please contact Becky Tuttle, Trinity’s representative on the HC of FA and a member of the Discipleship Ministry Team.

Pledge Sheets

The 2020 Pledge Sheets are in the mail! Please return them to Trinity by Nov. 10.

The end of Thanksgiving weekend is also the beginning of Advent. Please come help us get Trinity ready for this special season. This is a special tradition of decorating, eating, gathering with our church family after a holiday weekend. It’s a touchstone to start our journey to Christmas together. Sign up today at the sign up center.

Prayers Requested For . . .

Marsha Anderson, Sandy Anderson, Andrew Campbell, Linda Doerr, Evan Dudzek, Kim Hannan, Renee Jensen, Bob Kyle, Karen Mepham, Dan Morrow, Jeremy Schepp, Denny Stark, Carol Topel, Ruth Smithback, Karen Weber, Donna Weeks, Lori Williams, Donald Zuehlke and those we name silently in our hearts.

Blue Christmas

Join us on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 4 p.m. for a Blue Christmas worship celebration. It’s a calm, simple, reflective worship during a busy season.

Mitten & Hat Drive

STAR is again collecting your gently used/new/hand crafted mittens and hats. Please bring them freshly laundered (or tags still on) to Trinity beginning Oct. 6 until Nov. 3. These will keep the hands and heads of our local kids warm!

Thank you.

Mark Your Calendars!

WHS Players present:

“Disney’s The Little Mermaid”

Nov. 21-24
Nov. 21-23 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 24 at 2 p.m.

Fort Atkinson High School Presents:

High School Musical On Stage!

Nov. 14-17

2nd Lessons – Adult Sunday School with Pastor Amy

Very rarely does the 2nd lesson for a given Sunday get much attention in a sermon. But these lessons are chosen for a reason and written to early Christians. Come and study them with Pastor Amy. Learn what they addressed in their original context and hear what they have to say to us today.

Who: Everyone (9th grade to 99!) is welcome to attend this class.

When: Thursdays from 6:15-6:45 ~or~ Sundays from 9:45-10:15
*the same content is covered in both classes*

Where: Large Group Classroom (upstairs across from kitchenette)

Details: No previous Bible study experience is necessary.

Attend one; attend them all!

Bring a Bible or use one provided here.

Oct. 31 & Nov. 3: No class
Nov. 7 & Nov. 10: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17
Nov. 14 & 17: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Nov. 21 & 24: Colossians 1:11-20
Nov. 28 & Dec. 1:  No class
Dec. 5 & 8: Romans 15:4-13
Dec. 12 & 15: No class
Dec. 19 & 22: No class
Dec. 26 & 29: No class

Click here to view the church calendar