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TRINITY
TRUMPET August 2019
Pastor Kjersten’s Thoughts
As a lot of you know, all summer I’ve been training toward the goal of running a Half Ironman triathlon. A
Half Ironman is a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike, and a 13.1 mile run. The race is Sunday, August 25th in
Traverse City. So while you all are in worship, I will be somewhere around 30 miles into the bike portion.
Prayers appreciated. :)
Training for the race has been a lot of fun. There’s a group of about 25 of us from Battle Creek who are going
to race and cheer each other on. We’ve been training with each other since the winter, getting up early on
Sunday mornings to swim before church, biking for hours on Saturdays, and squeezing in various workouts at
other times throughout the week. It’s kept me busy, kept me active, and given me a really impressive tan line
from my running watch. But as much fun as it’s been, I admit I’m also really glad the race is just about over.
The training is fun, but it’s just time consuming. I’m about ready to go home after work, and not head to the Y
for an hour in the pool and an hour run. Or come in later on council meeting days, so I can get a two hour ride
in before work.
Some of you have wondered why endurance sports, marathons, triathlons, etc. are my chosen hobby. I do
these for a few reasons. First, for me running is a form of prayer. In the same way you might use a repeated
phrase for center prayer or meditation, the continual motion of my feet (and the mild oxygen deprivation)
helps clear my mind and gives me space to focus on God. I’ve written some of my best sermons and solved
some of my trickiest puzzles four or five miles into a run. Endurance sports also give me patience. They tell
us in seminary that ministry is a marathon, not a spirit, and it’s true. The work of building the kingdom of God
is slow work, sometimes painfully slow. I want Trinity to be redeveloped yesterday, I want Post Addition to
be a booming neighborhood yesterday, I want the roof to have been fixed five years ago (actually, I still want
that), but good ministry takes time. Training helps me remember that putting in the work now pays off later.
I can’t tell on any given run that I am improving, but I can see it in my dropping times how much stronger I am
then when I began. It also reminds me that not every workout feels great. I ran twelve miles Monday and felt
beyond awful. Got up Tuesday and biked 25 miles, felt fantastic. Things have ebbs and flows. Ministry is like
that, life is like that, running reminds me of that.
So that’s why I run. I’m a better person, a better pastor, a better follower of Jesus when I spend just a little bit
(or right now a lot) of my day out of breath. Running isn’t everyone’s prayer practice, but it’s mine. So, as
your pastor, let me encourage you to find your thing. Maybe its walking or gardening or drinking tea in
silence. Whatever it is, find the thing that helps you hear the still, small voice of God.
Peace,
Pastor Kjersten
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Pastor’s Report - July 2019
This is the monthly report that Pastor submits to the council. We’re publishing it in the Trumpet for interest/information.
July Numbers: Wider Church: 1 –Revive planning session (synod new and renewing church training) Community Meetings: 3 –Co-op Executive committee, Faith in Action mtg., Co-op mandatory, Church meetings: 6 – Council, God’s Work planning mtg. (2),Family Camp planning mtg., disability consult, Roots mtg., Church Event: 2 – Roadrunners lunch, Family camp Community Events: 1 – Painted Chair Affair Narrative: The big event for July was Family Camp. Thank you to everyone who volunteered, came, brought supplies, told someone, prayed for, and participated in any way in this event. We had fairly small turnout Monday and Thursday, but awesome turnout Tuesday and Wednesday. It is the nature of our neighborhood for attendance to be streaky, so that’s pretty quality. And I had a chance to talk to some of the folk who were there this week, and there were rave reviews all around. It’s a lot of work, but I do think it’s necessary and important work.
In the realm of important work, thank you John, Gloria, and Tish for manning the Pride booth on Saturday. It was VERY warm, but great to be visible in the community. Tish and I had several great conversations with folk, and I know John and Gloria did as well. Hopefully some of those conversations will turn into new visi-tors.
Building stuff continues to take up an inordinate amount of time, but that is the cost of an aging building. I am grateful for Eileen, Laurie, Tish, Wayne, and Diane for really stepping up and taking the lead on a bunch of projects. The end consensus on the heater motor was that given the temperatures last week and impending family camp, we did go ahead and replace the motor. The cost of that was $479. I also asked him to quote us the cost of replacing the two remaining 17 year old furnace and A/C units. The quote was $7,000-$8,000. As-suming the new motor buys us a few years, I think we should put that on the docket for 2021, and start think-ing now about how we want to be saving up for that.
The first Sunday in August, August 4th, I am doing a pulpit exchange with one of our mission partners. Pastor John Schleicher from Grace in Lansing will be at Trinity and I will be at Grace. The same thing will happen with Pastor Andreas Teich from Messiah in Bay City on October 20th. I will also be on vacation on August 25th, Gloria will be preaching and it will be Service of the Word (no communion).
Respectfully submitted, Pastor Kjersten Priddy
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PRESIDENT’S CORNER
It occurred to me as I was washing windows in our home recently, how clear the outside appeared to me with
just a little effort, Windex, and a clean cloth. The same can be said for many things in our life. When the
Council meets monthly, it can be said that we review our efforts, add whatever ingredient is needed in hopes
of seeing things a little clearer. Our Council has been able to achieve consensus of opinion(s) on projects,
event planning, etc. because we are able to freely express personal opinions/information knowing that every-
one is respected. It allows for an action-oriented Council.
In the coming months, I would like to highlight how the Council has organized itself to work on specific areas
for our congregation. The first team/group I would like to review is called the ROOT team. It’s responsibility
is for legal and structural areas of the congregation that includes Budgeting, Finance, Property, and Personnel.
The members assigned to this team are: Eileen Martens, Laurie Swanson and Tish Gancer. Their main objec-
tive for this year will be to establish improvement projects using funds from a grant. This team has many re-
sponsibilities and the team members are outstanding.
The next team is called the TRUNK team. It’s responsibility is for congregational life, including stewardship,
congregational concerns, and worship. This includes: Family Camp, Roadrunners, planning of social events to
build fellowship, funeral luncheons, Take Them A Meal, etc. The members of this team are: Kendra W., Kathy
Chapman, Wayne W. Another great group of people to head up this team.
The last team is called the BRANCHES team. It’s focus is on social justice and outreach of the congregation.
This includes: Woman’s Co-op Civic Engagement committee, plan and implement God’s Work. Our Hands.
Community Garden, etc. The members of this team are: John Kolo, and Diane A.
I look forward to keeping you up to date on how these teams are working on projects on behalf of the congre-
gation. So, if you see a window at Trinity that could use some Windex and a clean cloth, please feel free to make it clearer so others can see into this building and the good work that is being accomplished.
Respectfully, Diane Andert
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THE QUEEN OF “GO, TELL AUNT RHODY”
Each summer after I teach for eight days at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp near Muskegon, I seem to always come home with several musical stories that are generated from the world’s best teachers --- children! This June was no exception. One of my classes was a group of four young children who were to share an hour for three consecutive days on instruction of piano pieces they had prepared. One of the first dozen pieces that Suzuki pianists learn is an arrangement of the folk song, “Go, Tell Aunt Rhody.” It has its challenges because it introduces a new, third chord in the left hand and the left hand pattern is fairly sophisticated to fit with the independent right hand melody. Both hands also move positions slightly within the piece quite a few times and this adds to its complexity. On the first day of this class, I started by asking each student how old they were and what piece they wanted to play for the little student recital on the last day of camp. One of the girls, named Addison, very confidently told me her name, her age of eight, and piece. It was “Aunt Rhody.” And then she added, “In fact, I’m the Queen of “Go, Tell Aunt Rhody!” This was stated in a very matter-of-fact way, not at all arrogant, just confident and proud of what she could do. When I heard her play the piece, it was quite good, but it had several aspects that needed some instruction. We worked on these parts of the piece and I gave her an assignment of what to practice for the next day’s lesson. At least one parent is with each child since this is a Family Camp and her mom definitely was very attentive, as was Addison. She came back the next day for her lesson and she had fixed everything that I had worked on with her the previous day. Literally, OVERNIGHT! That second lesson we worked on the three chords of the piece and how they relate to the musical form within the piece, so Addison would have a good concept of the plan of how the piece was put together. I have some colored discs that are great for children to visualize the chords and sections of the piece and help them think of that as they are performing. She grasped the notion of form quickly and the next day at her third lesson, she arrived with rocks which she had painted the same colors as my discs from the previous day. She had practiced with the painted rocks and was great at knowing what came next and the flow in her piece was greatly improved. Her positive attitude and drive gave her the ability to TRULY be the Queen of “Go, Tell Aunt Rhody.” Confidence, positive attitude, drive and perseverance all came together to make her Blue Lake experience the best you could hope for! On the fourth day, I was able to meet Addison’s father who had been working at his employment during the first three days of camp. He drove in for the fourth day to hear her play in the final recital. He told me how she loved Camp and I told him about the joy of teaching her. He said that she is ALWAYS the most positive, look-to-the-bright-side kind of kid and that you always will be uplifted by being around her. I said, “What a lesson that is for all of us!” When I go to Blue Lake to teach students, I’m always amazed at how much power they have to teach me! “A cheerful heart does good.” --- Proverbs 17:22 David Lipps Director of Music
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Freeze Pop Tuesdays Every Tuesday, 2 pm to 4 pm
Come by Trinity every Tuesday from 2 pm to 4 pm to enjoy a Freeze Pop, play some yard games, color with chalk, and enjoy the beautiful Michigan summer. Sign up on the Sign Up for What’s Up Table to host a Tuesday. Hosting involves coming ten minutes early to set up games and freeze pops, and staying ten minutes after to clean up, so it’s super easy.
God’s Work. Our Hands. Saturday, September 7th Next Planning Meeting Thursday, August 8th, 10 am
God’s Work. Our Hands. is the ELCA’s national day of service. This year we are once again partnering with St. Peter, Thrivent Financial, Habitat for Humanity, the neighborhood planning council, and Post Consumer Foods to host a neighborhood clean-up / dumpster day / block party. We learned a lot from last year, and got a lot of great feedback from the neighbors, so this year will be bigger and better than ever. Talk to Pastor Kjersten to get connected to this fun service day.
Summer Neighborhood Walks with Pastor
Michigan summers are amazing, and Pastor Kjersten is always looking for excuses to get out of the office and enjoy the sunshine. Come take a walk with her. We will walk as long or as short as you want, dog / kids / etc. invited. We can pick up trash, meet neighbors, or just stretch and enjoy the sunshine. Catch her with her calendar (phone) to pick a time that works for you.
Trinity Community Garden
Come get your hands in the dirt and spend some time in the Trinity Community Garden. John Kolodizieizyck, Doug Martens, and Josh Combs are out in the garden most Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and the harvest is already starting to appear in the entryway. Talk to John Kolodizieizyck or Doug Martens to help out.
Roadrunners on the Road to the Griffin Thursday, August 8th at 11:30 am
Roadrunners are headed to downtown Battle Creek for lunch at the Griffin Join us for a great time of fellowship with your Trinity friends. This event is open to and for all. If you need transportation or assistance to attend please call the church office.
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Battle Creek Pride Fest July 20, 11 am to 5 pm
We had a great time at the Battle Creek Pride Fest. It was a hot day, but the breeze was perfect, and the Martens pop-up tent kept us well shaded. Thank you to John and Gloria Kolodizieizyck, Pastor Kjersten, and Tish Gancer for staffing the table, and to Connie Everson for providing prayer bead assembly kits so folk could make their own prayer beads. We gave out all the prayer beads, a lot of information about Trinity, and had a lot of great conversations with folk. Most importantly, we were able to share God’s love with a lot of people who have not heard from the church enough that God loves them.
Gloria Kolodizieizyck ready to help folk make prayer beads
Family Camp—July 15-18
What a fun-filled week we had with our friends from St. Peter and the Woman’s Co-op learning about the neighbors around the world that God has given us. We averaged between 9 and 30 kids and another 20-30 adults throughout each of the four days for singing, laughing, games, crafts, food, and, of course, puppets! The people to thank are to numerous for a newsletter article, so if you had anything to do at all with family camp, know that you are so appreciated! I (Pastor Kjersten) don’t have the best pictures, so stay tuned for next month for a full page photo story of all the fun we had. Here’s some puppets to get you excited.
St. Thomas Breakfast , July 22-26
We once again joined forces with our friends at St. Peter to take part in the St. Thomas breakfast program. For five days we cooked and served a hot breakfast to the over 750 people who take advantage of the opportunity for a free hot meal to start the day. Thanks to everyone who participated, and especially to our super volunteer Gloria, who was there every day!
Photos: Left—Diane Klecker serving up pancakes. Right—Gloria Kolodizieizyck whipping up eggs for 200.
We’ve had some
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Sunday School
Check out what the kids made in Sunday school on Sunday, June 30th. The readings were how to be followers of God and workers in God’s kingdom, and the kids made these cool wreaths where they wrote ways they could help other people.
Sunday school is going to place during worship, where the kids are invited to learn about the same readings and themes in the regular worship, but at a more kid level. After the Prayer of the Day, the kids will be invited to have a Kids Time with Pastor, then they will leave for their lesson. They will rejoin worship after the Prayers of
the People, so they can be in worship for communion. This first one was a trial run, Sunday school will officially kick off when school starts in mid-August. We are looking for volunteer teachers and leaders. See Javana Cosner to get involved.
Bible Conversations Wednesdays at 10 am and 5:30 pm
Ever hear a text read on Sunday and think, I’d like to know more about that? Easter is a great time to get to know Jesus better through scripture. Every Wednesday, join Pastor Kjersten in the lounge at 10 am to read and discuss the Gospel text for the upcoming Sunday. This is a wonderful, easy conversation and no prior reading/knowledge is required.
Mitten Kids Gathering Kalamazoo Conference Event for Elementary School Students
Sunday, August 18, 3 to 5 pm Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
1747 W Milham, Portage
An opportunity for elementary kids from across the conference to meet each other and begin building relationships and to see themselves as part of the ELCA presence in our area, as well as an opportunity for them to witness the collaboration of their leaders. The afternoon will begin with icebreaker games and other opportunities to get to know each other. The kids will then make a prayer cube that they can take home, they’ll have a snack and a few more games, and then they’ll decorate a quilt square with words of encouragement, which will be sewn with squares from other kids. The completed quilts will be given to new seminarians as a gift from the children of our synod. See Pastor Kjersten for more information or to register
Opportunities for Learning
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August Worship Volunteers
If you need to switch your dates, please be sure to call and let us know who you have arranged to replace you.
Monday - Thursday: Church office (269)963-5356
Friday - Sunday: Pastor Kjersten (805)458-6074
Sunday, August 4 - Eighth Sunday After Pentecost
Assisting Minister - Teresa Young
Altar Servers - Rose Walentowski / Tish Gancer
Ushers - Ellis Cutler / Gloria Kolodizieizyck
Prayers - Wayne Walentowski
Sunday, August 11 - Ninth Sunday After Pentecost
Assisting Minister - Diane Klecker
Altar Servers - Mary Conklin / Gloria Kolodizieizyck
Ushers - Mary Conklin
Prayers - Linda Hermann
Sunday, August 18 - Tenth Sunday After Pentecost
Assisting Minister - Laurie Swanson
Altar Servers - Rose Walentowski / Leah Schuler
Ushers - John & Gloria Kolodizieizyck
Prayers - Mary Conklin
Sunday, August 25 - Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost
Assisting Minister -
Altar Servers - Jeff & Diane Andert
Ushers - John Hartzendorf / Wayne Walentowski
Prayers - Kendra Witkowski
August Birthdays
8/1 - Christine Herdman
8/17 - Mary Conklin
8/17 - Marleen Reiser
8/19 - Terry Fulling
August Anniversaries
8/6 - Don and Vivian Herdman
8/6 - Louis and Teresa Young
8/12 - Steven and Kathy Millard
8/24 - Ellis and Sharon Cutler
8/24 - John and Gloria Kolodizieizyck
Readings for August
Sunday, August 4
Hosea 11:1-11
Psalm 107:1-9, 43
Colossians 3:1-11
Luke 12:13-21
Sunday, August 11
Isaiah 1:1, 10-20
Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23
Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16
Luke 12:32-40
Sunday, August 18
Isaiah 5:1-7
Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19
Hebrews 11:29-12:2
Luke 12:49-56
Sunday, August 25
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Psalm 71:1-6
Hebrews 12:18-29
Luke 13:10-17
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MEMBERS
Maxine Hammond
Joyce Shaffer
Marleen Reiser
Sharon Cutler
Josh Combs
Vivian Herdman
Melissa Combs
FRIENDS, FAMILY & OTHERS
Lanny Johnston, Jr. (Sharon’s son)
Bill Elliott (Maxine’s son-in-law)
David Klecker (Diane’s brother-in-
law)
Peter Ruehlman
Linda Elliott (Maxine’s daughter)
Mike Wallace
Jim Himes (Maxine’s nephew)
Mary Lou Benniean (Diane Klecker’s
friend)
HOMEBOUND and in
CARE FACILITIES
JoAnne Purcell
Margaret Vogt
Mickey Long
Don Herdman
CHURCH COUNCIL
Diane Andert, President 968-3712
Kendra Witkowski, Vice President 967-3474
Laurie Swanson, Secretary 729-5464
Kathy Chapman 660-8548
Tish Gancer 832-4719
John Kolodizieizyck 731-5575
Eileen Martens 964-9120
Wayne Walentowski 830-5094
OTHER WAYS TO CONNECT WITH TRINITY
Trinity’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/trinity.church.581
“Like” the Trinity Facebook page to follow events and activities.
WEBSITE
Trinity website: http://www.tlcbattlecreek.org
Check out the What’s New tab to see the latest events going on at Trinity. You can also find transcripts of Pastor
Kjersten’s sermons under the Worship tab.
TRUMPET
To update your newsletter email/mail preferences, contact the church office at [email protected] or 963-5356.
Let us know if you would like to be added our quarterly mailing list to receive a color brochure of what’s new at Trinity.
ONLINE GIVING
Trinity now has online giving. Simply go to Trinity’s website, http://www.tlcbattlecreek.org and click on the yellow button
that says “Donate” on the bottom left corner of the page. Or go to Trinity’s Facebook page and click on the blue button that
says “Donate” on the right side of the page.
CHURCH STAFF
Kjersten Priddy, Pastor
(805) 458-6074
David Lipps, Director of Music
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