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Inside
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Issue:
Volume 28, Issue 6 & 7
June/July, 2019
Highlights 1
Pastor’s Letter 2
Christian Ed. 3
Congregational
News
4/5
Mission 6/7
Session Notes &
Trinity Women
8
Milestones 9
June 5 & 19
Summer Youth Group 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm in Trinity Hall
August 7 & 21
Pentecost Sunday is June 9
FREE Vacation Bible School June 24 - June 28
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm in Trinity Hall We are very excited about our theme “Water All Around the
World” which will teach your children about how water im-
pacted various people throughout the bible and how we can
help those who don’t have access to clean water today. We
are in need of snacks and volunteers to make this wonderful
week happen. If you would be able to donate time or snacks
(or both) please contact Rona Kreamer or Matt Kreamer at
You can also reach Rona at [email protected]
or Matt at [email protected]
July 10 & 24
Open to all youth ages 8 and up, Trinity Hall will be
buzzing with music, ping pong, billiards and Wii starting
at 6:30PM. After an hour of fellowship (and snacks) we
will join together in a contemporary worship with Pastor
Mack & guest musicians concluding by 8:30PM! Invite
your friends for all the fun and fellowship!
The Vision Page 2
Pastoral Letter
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moth and rust consume and where thieves break
in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in
heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and
where thieves do not break in and steal. For where
your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Jesus shared these words with his listeners in
the Sermon on the Mount, and what he said
would have been both unexpected and shocking
for his time. In ancient Israel, great teachers and
rabbis were often asked to provide financial advice
to their followers, particularly to their close circle
of disciples. Jesus begins to speak as if he were
going to follow in that traditional path. In Jesus'
culture the accumulation of wealth was a sign of
God's favor; therefore, financial decisions were to
be carefully considered, making sure that God
would be honored in all things.
Jesus elevates the traditional rabbinical message
from the temporal to the eternal by contrasting
treasures on earth with treasures in heaven. Jesus'
idea was unheard of and a true revelation to his
listeners - no matter the amount of treasure one
accumulates in life, it means nothing because of
death, so to focus one's energy on gathering such
wealth is futile.
The Son of God did not come in order to give
investment advice, but to save our souls, and in his
few words he creates a completely new paradigm
for the word "treasure." When Jesus instructs us to
"store up for ourselves treasure in heaven," he is not
talking about our possessions or our bank ac-
counts, but the spiritual wealth we experience
when we commit ourselves to God and become
disciples of God's Messiah. In the Hebrew the
experience of spiritual wealth is "shalom," which
means "peace." "Shalom" does not mean peace in
the traditional sense, as a cessation of hostility, but
something much broader and deeper - a peace that
embraces body, mind, and soul.
Jesus declares that, unlike earthly possessions, the
heavenly treasure of shalom is eternal; unlike
earthly possessions, no one can steal God's
shalom, because it dwells in our hearts, and is not
subject to the whims of a fallen world. Jesus con-
cludes his teaching by placing the responsibility for
finding spiritual treasure upon us: "For where your
treasure is, there your heart will be also."
What the earth values, what we treasure, means
nothing in the kingdom of God. In the kingdom
of God, the treasures belong to our faith: God's
word, our discipleship, and our love for each oth-
er. Only Jesus can provide the treasures that are
stored for us in heaven, and that is the treasure we
need to pursue, with humility, commitment, and
selfless love. The treasure of which Christ speaks is
not in a bank; it not a currency or a commodity; it
is what the Word of God describes as the
"shalom:" the peace that is beyond understanding.
It is that treasure that is received in the giving and
lived in the loving. May that peace be ours, as we
walk with our Lord. Dr. Mack
Photos by Kathy Moser Jim & Marilyn Slagle
Guide Dogs for
the Blind
Presentation
Page 3 The Vision
ADULT CLASSES
Christian Education
YOUTH CLASSES NURSERY
9:00 to 12:00 pm Children 4 & under enjoy
coloring & playing in the nursery with DeDe.
FELLOWSHIP HALL ACTIVITY TABLE
9:00 am to 10:30 am Children 4 and up can meet Alix
for low action activities (puzzles & coloring) & snacks.
10:30 am to 11:30 am Children 4 and up meet their teachers in the Sanctuary and participate in the
Worship Service. After the Children’s Message they leave for these age appropriate classes.
GOD’S TRAILBLAZERS
God’s Trailblazers 4 through 7 will meet in
Rooms 7 & 8 with Kathy. Using the All In
One Bible Fun curriculum , we will participate
in exciting science fun object lessons that focus
on Jesus.
KREAMER’S CRUSADERS
Kreamer’s Krusaders 8 through 12 meet in
Room 6 with Matt and will have a series
about teamwork and helping each other.
ANCHOR TRINITY
Anchor Trinity Junior High School through College
meet in Room 1 with Rona and will be watching The
Avengers, God Grew Tired of Us, The Iron Giant, The
Kid with a Bike, The Mission and Wreck it Ralph during
the Summer Movie Series. We will bring the popcorn,
you bring the discussion!
Youth classes are June 9 - September 1.
Fall classes will begin September 8
POLO
Parents of Little Ones (POLO) meets at 9:00 am Sunday, June 9 and July 14 in Room 1 for their class.
FAITH, BIBLE AND PRACTICES WITH DR. MACK
9:00 am in the Chapel beginning June 2
There will be three general topics – Faith, Bible, and Practices, with each topic having 7 lessons. The first
topic is Faith. Each Sunday we will view a short video highlighting one of the 7 lessons under the topic of
Faith – God, Religion, Jesus, Salvation, Cross, Bible, and Church. The video presenters are well-known lead-
ers in the Reformed tradition. The PCUSA’s Bruce Reyes-Chow will present the lesson on Church. Other
presenters come from different denominations in the Reformed tradition. After the video, Mack will lead a
group discussion on each lesson, and there will be a journal for those who wish to keep one during the se-
ries. This class will be fun and, hopefully, enlightening. There may also be at least one social gathering with
the class during the summer, and maybe more. Join Dr. Mack in the Chapel beginning June 2.
Congregational News
The Vision Page 4
2nd Sunday Mission Opportunities
Make an Impact with Helping Hands Projects!
Join us June 9 & July 14 at 11:45 am in Fellowship Hall to make sandwiches for Casa Maria.
We will not have a Helping Hands project in June but will put together water bottles and
protein or granola bars for our Food Pantry in July.
JUNE & JULY SCRIPTURES
June 2 Acts 16:16-34; Ps. 97; Rev. 22:12-14, 16-17,
20-21; John 17:20-26
June 9 Acts 2:1-21; Gen. 11:1-9; Ps. 104:24-34,
35b; Rom. 8:14-17 or Acts 2:1-21; John
14:8-17 (25-27)
June 16 Prov. 8:1-4,22-31; Ps. 8; Rom. 5:1-5; John
16:12-15
June 23 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a; Ps. 42 & 43;
Gal. 3:23-29; Luke 8:26-39
June 30 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14; Ps. 77:1-2, 11-20; Gal.
5:1, 13-25; Luke 9:51-62
July 7 2 Kings 5:1-14; Ps.30; Gal 6:(1-6) 7-16;
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
July 14 Amos 7:7-17; Ps. 82; Col. 1:1-14; Luke
10:25-37
July 21 Amos 8:1-12; Ps. 52; Col. 1:15-28; Luke
10:38-42
July 28 Hosea 1:2-10; Ps. 85; Col. 2:6-15 (16-19);
Luke 11:1-13
TRINITY BOOK CLUB
Join us June 24 and July 22
at 6:00 pm in Fellowship Hall
June - “My Own Words” by Ruth Bader
Ginsburg
July - “Oxygen” by Carol Cassella
Come and add to the discussion
“Star-Spangled Potluck and Sing-Along” Sunday June 30
after worship in Trinity Hall! The Worship Committee will provide
baked chicken; please bring a side
dish or dessert to share. Plan to join
us for some great food and fellowship
as well as an opportunity to sing some
favorite patriotic songs! ! WHO’S IN YOUR PEW
Meet Cecilia “CC”
Kreamer
What did or do you do for a
living/career?
I usually read and build Legos and go outside.
Where is your hometown?
Tucson
What do you like to do in your leisure time?
I usually go play outside.
What is your favorite food?
Probably buttery popcorn.
What is your favorite hymn and verse?
My favorite hymn is Hallelujah! I like singing it
really loud. My favorite verses are the ones that
talk about Palm Sunday.
What does Trinity mean to you?
It's a place where people are always nice and
no one is mean,
Page 5 The Vision
WHO’S IN YOUR PEW
Meet David Croteau
What did or do you do for a
living/career?
I have done historic home
restoration, painting and
plastering for over 30 years,
along with political activism
which included running for mayor & sheriff.
I am and have been a leader of several veter-
an service organizations and am a fire keeper
of a Lakota sweat lodge.
Where is your hometown?
I was born in St. Cloud MN but my family
moved to Tucson when I was 9 months old
and I have lived here since.
What do you like to do in your leisure time?
Doing things with Sheila like hiking, sailing, bike
riding & exploring Tucson's art & entertainment
scene.
What is your favorite food?
Chili Rellenos
What is your favorite hymn and verse?
My favorite hymn is “Here I Am Lord” . My
favorite verse is Psalm 91:2-3
What does Trinity mean to you?
Shared faith in Christ's actions today and the
ongoing education and music development.
Congregational News
HELP FIND SUNDAY GREETERS
Greeters are an important part of Sunday morn-
ings, they are often the first impression people
get when they come to Trinity. The Worship com-
mittee and the Growth and Outreach commit-
tee are asking members of the congregation to
make a one month commitment to finding
greeters. Imogene Moser and Bunny Mallams
have done it for years and they need your help.
If you can commit to finding greeters one month
a year please contact the office at 623-2579 or
[email protected] to add your name to the
list and choose a month.
Thank you!
On behalf of the congregation
of Trinity Presbyterian Church,
I would like to offer my deep
appreciation for the many who
worked so hard to make the
retirement events for Rev. Bill Voigt both mean-
ingful and joyful for Bill, Jere and the rest of us.
Included in these thanks are the Personnel Com-
mittee, the Event Planning Sub-committee, the
staff, and the generous volunteers who used their
own time and resources in so many ways.
I also want to express my personal appreciation to
this congregation for its generosity in regards to
Bill’s gift, along with the many expressions of love
that he and Jere received. I know they were moved
by the realization of how much this church values
them, now and in the future. We know God will
continue to richly bless them both, as we have been
blessed by their presence in our church family.
Dr. Mack
There will also be a signup sheet
in the Narthex beginning Sunday June 2
There will also be a signup sheet
in the Narthex beginning Sunday June 2
The Vision Page 6
Mission Updates
From April
Trinity’s Family Shelter housed 71 people from April 2- May7. The majority have been from Guate-
mala. (Ages 3months to 52 years!) The families we house in our apartment come to us from the Bene-
dictine Monastery where Immigration and Customs Enforcement has dropped them off. Since October,
9086 families have come through the Casa Alitas program run by Catholic Community Services (that’s
more than 20,000 people). Trinity works with Casa Alitas We need hats, tie shoes (small sizes), instant
coffee, powdered creamer, and fresh fruit! Thank you to all who’ve contributed in so many ways. Often,
when we have an abundance of items, we give back to the Monastery.
Trinity’s Resource Center saw 117 clients in April, completed 42 applications for Food Stamps and
AHCCCS, helped get duplicate ID’s for 14, added $5 to bus passes for 70 people, distributed 12 hy-
giene bags (6 of those had been donated by Lynn Moser’s student), gave out clothing to 28 people, 14
rolls of toilet paper were given out and 1 document was notarized. Thanks to many of you who’ve do-
nated goods and funds to the Resource Center. Large sizes of clothing and shoes donated to the Shelter
Program are shared with the Resource Center. Stop by and see what we do.
Trinity’s Food Pantry gave out 162 bags of food to Community Food Bank clients in April. There
were 576 walk-ins! 10,800 lbs of food was distributed!! A large portion of the food we get is from the
Food Recovery Program that we have with three CVS pharmacies in Tucson. Sometimes you’ll see
boxes of food, nuts, candy, cereal and juices stacked up in Trinity Hall. Alice Smedley sorts through and
stores the items for our pantry along with Gerry Montiero. We now have a second freezer in the Food
Pantry. This is coming in very handy with products we get from the Community Food Bank Warehouse
that need storage during the upcoming hot months. Did you know that the Community Food Bank
brings the client bags to Trinity, but during each month there are many trips to pick up goods at the
CVS pharmacies and Agency Market (at the Community Food Bank Warehouse)?
Helping Hands Projects In May, we made over 600 bologna sandwiches for the Casa Maria soup
kitchen. We made water and granola bar packs for our Food Pantry.
4th Friday on 4th Avenue Community Supper We hold the 4th on 4th Dinners monthly serving
between 50 and 80 persons each time. Sign up for that in the Narthex after church.
Primavera We feed breakfast to 100 men each week at the Primavera Men’s Shelter. (17 ½ doz eggs per
week). We’ve provided chicken gumbo for the Men’s Shelter once a month for more than 10 years.
Everything Else Remember, too, that we recycle aluminum cans (tabs from the cans go to the Ronald
McDonald House). We collect box tops for education (the contribution goes to the Menaul School in
New Mexico). Put extra change in the jars on the table in Fellowship Hall to contribute to our missions.
Each of our Mission Projects is looking for volunteers, too. The Mission Committee chairperson is
Doug Holland. Other members of the Committee are DeDe Markin, Carolyn Maycher, Janet Munson,
Billie Holbrook and Greg Kiedel! Happy Summer in Tucson.
Page 7 The Vision
Mission News
TRINITY FOOD PANTRY
Trinity’s Food Pantry is open Sunday from 12:00
to 2:00 pm and Tuesday and Thursday from
12:00 to 4:00 pm. Food donations are always
welcome, thank you.
RESOURCE CENTER
The Resource Center is open Tuesday & Thursday
from 12:00 to 4:00 pm. Each month we help cli-
ents sign up for DES services along with ordering
replacement ID’s, putting money on Bus passes and
notarizing documents. Thanks to everyone for the
support you give to this valuable mission.
4TH ON 4TH COMMUNITY SUPPER
Our next 4th Friday on 4
th Avenue Community
Supper is June 28 with a potluck in the Chapel
Courtyard so plan to join us. Sign up to bring a
dish for 10 people on Sundays in the Narthex. We
set up and get ready at 5 pm, open the gate at 6:00
with prepared dishes already on the serving tables,
eat until 7 and clean up after that. Helpers are always
welcome - you can sign up on the “helping side” as
well as the “food side” of the notebook. We want to
welcome and get to know people from the neighbor-
hood and those without homes.
The June 9th Pentecost offering is divided up with 60% going to the PCUSA and 40% being designated by
the local congregation towards programs that work with youth at risk. Trinity’s Mission committee has
elected to have this local portion support the Tucson Borderlands Young Adult Program, a mission of the
PCUSA. This year the TBYAV has 3 volunteers working at the CHRPA Community Home Repair Projects
of AZ, the Community Food Bank, and the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights project. Next year there
are already 5 volunteers committed to serve here. The following is from a blog written by one of this year’s
volunteers, - Dakota Kohfield (written November 2018).
“Since I was a child, my favorite hymn has been “Here I am, Lord.” I even had the hymn number memorized so that I
could quickly shout it out if our pastor ever asked for suggestions during worship, “Number 525 in the blue hymnal!”
For 15+ years, these lyrics have moved me every time that I sing them. I am also struck by this song’s clear, bold chorus.
“Here I am… I will go, Lord, if you lead me.” It shows courage, vulnerability, and trust.
Courage because sacrificing a safe and comfortable life for whatever God will use you for, is not easy. Vulnerability be-
cause you’re there, naked-per se, out in the open, sharing with God what gifts — and shortcomings — you have. Trust
because you are letting go of full control of your life and giving God the reigns. Though I haven’t always lived up to this
imagery throughout my life, when I sing, “Here I am, Lord,” I am inspired to do so. I am inspired to put my desires
and plans aside so that I can be open and ready for whatever opportunity God has for me.
Really, it seems my entire YAV year is my saying, “Here I am.” My decision to get off the beaten path of college, grad
school, career, was my saying, “Here I am.” My continued effort NOT to make too many concrete plans so that I can be
open to new possibilities is my saying “Here I am.” Each day as a YAV, in ways both big and small, I am confronted
with opportunities to say, “Here I am, Lord, I will hold your people in my heart.” I hope that I will remember the lyrics
of this hymn, and continue to vulnerably and courageously sing, shout, and pray, “Here I am, Lord!”
The Vision Page 8
Session Notes
This meeting was Session’s first without Associate Pastor Bill Voigt. Moderator Dr. Mack Sigmon is now flying solo on the flight deck of Session. Session members welcomed Daniel Rezeko to the meeting. Daniel is the Site Coordinator for the Migrant Family Shelter from May to August and Session members were riveted by his talk about his work on a Master’s Degree in Latin American Studies and Public Policy. We wished him well in his studies and thanked him for his work at Trinity.
After talking with Daniel, the Session discussed another chapter from our study book “Leading Change in the Congregation: Spiritual and Organi-zational Tools for Leaders” by Gilbert R. Rendle. Session discussed a few critical issues at Trinity and struggled to define the differences between linear change and chaotic change. We all agreed that more time is needed to discuss critical issues at Trinity.
Here are the highlights of the May meeting:
Bucky Lovejoy reported for the Long Range Development Team that the east sidewalk will be shut down on June 3rd for six weeks, that we should use the ramp to enter the church through Fellowship Hall & that the current construction is still on schedule.
Session elected Will Tilley as a nominee to be a Ruling Elder Commissioner to the 224th General Assembly in 2020. Three churches in Presbytery de Cristo were selected to send a nominee to the Presbytery for final selection. Let’s pray for Will to be the Commissioner for GA from our
Presbytery.
The Deacon’s Care Team is successful in helping some of our members with outside agencies.
Session approved the Mission Committee’s decision that the June 9, 2019 Pentecost Special Offering local designation (40% of the total offering) goes to benefit Tucson Borderlands Young Adult Volunteers.
Session approved the Property Committee’s proposal to create a List of Opportunities of needed items with an approximate cost up to $400.00 for congregants who might want to donate funds for those items.
Stewardship & Finance approved spending $2,598.00 to purchase Shelby Next to update our software system that tracks our finances and membership.
Piggybacking on the above decision, Session approved Administration & Personnel’s recom-mendation to upgrade our software at the price above with installation and training to happen during July when things slow down in the Trinity office.
Session approved that Christopher and Sarah Svenson be received back into Trinity member-ship by letter transfer from their church in New Jersey. Welcome back, Svensons!
Growth & Outreach Team has painted one window on the third floor on the north side above the kitchen to test out their Tree of Life project. Look for it at night while it is backlit.
The youths who attend Triennium will plan and lead worship on August 25, 2019.
Session members and Mack prayed for many in the
congregation who need special care and concern. Janet Hooper Clerk of Session
Trinity Women
Ryan's Bears meets Tuesday, June 18 at 9:30
am in the Lower Lounge. We are currently
cutting out and stitching bears for Christmas
2019. Approximately 650-700
bears have been made since
2000 with the annual average
being 40-45 bears. Donations
of fleece or flannel are always
welcomed as is your time mak-
ing them.
Page 9 The Vision
Trinity Milestones
Honoring & Memorials
In Memory of David Windsor by Barbara Combs
In Memory of Pat Whiting by Joan Kingan
In Memory of Lorraine Lovin by Raymond &
Barbara Tallis
In Honor of Bill Voigt by Leone Mohney
In Memory of Pat Whiting by Leone Mohney
In Memory of Pat Whiting by Tom & Vade
Henderson
In Memory of Pat Whiting by Bonnie Stull
In Memory of Pat Whiting by Melinda Arnold
In Memory of Pat Whiting by Dena Ross & Dan
Warner
In Memory of Pat Whiting by Anita Larson
In Memory of Pat Whiting by G.W. & Betty
Pettit
In Memory of Pat Whiting by John Hill
In Memory of Pat Whiting by Charlene Wolfe
June Birthdays
July Birthdays
August Birthdays (1—10)
1 George Greenleaf - 101
2 Barbara Ball
4 Elaine Banghart
8 Thomas Dean
10 Carolynn Carter
12 Jean Thomas
13 Roger Nichols
14 Will Tilley
16 Anne McConnell
17 Billie Holbrook
18 Vade Henderson
18 Johanna Moyer
22 Robert Letson - 94
24 Karen Wilkison
27 Nancy Hamadou
30 Carolyn Maycher
5 Tom McCartney
5 Marian Wald - 98
6 Heather Mace
10 Sally Barlow Miller
15 Colleen Shannon
17 Erin Henderson
24 Nancy Buck
24 Reid Miller
27 Geoff Barlow
29 Ruth Russell
30 Kathryn Dusenberry - 95
30 Angela Seddo
4 Daniel Seddo
5 Jo Campbell
9 Peter Holbrook
10 Joan Kingan
June Anniversaries
6 Don and Ruth Myers - 65 years!
24 John and Joni Price - 59 years!
27 Koffi Seddo and Celeste Dzakpa
3 David and Cindy Toering
5 George & Celia Greenleaf
8 William & Janet Goodhue
11 Roger & Marilyn Nichols - 60 years!
14 Larry & Janet Jones
27 Bruce & Peggy Chamberlain
July Anniversaries
21 Roberta Westergaard
Thanks to everyone for all the cards, prayers &
well-wishes during my bout with diverticulitis.
I’m not back to my normal bouncy self, but I’m
definitely better. It’s such a blessing to have this
church family. Janet Jones
We are “LIVE” streaming the 10:30 am service if you cannot attend. It is on the home
page of our website.
Visit our website at www.trinitytucson.org for information and events.
Trinity Presbyterian Church
400 E. University Blvd.
Tucson, AZ 85705
520-623-2579
Office 9:00 am-3:00 pm Monday-Thursday
Trinity Website
www.trinitytucson.org
Email Addresses
Deadline for the August 2018 VISION is
Tuesday, July 11, 2018
Please submit typewritten articles to the
church office or to: [email protected]
