The Blessed Trinity Parish Post
BLESSED TRINITY PARISH POST Good Shepherd~Pleasant Hills~Ridgewood UMCs
October 2026
Vol. 1 No.9
Parish Friends and Family, Since before the cooperative parish even began, there has been a lot of prayer, conversation, listening, and discernment has been happening around the future of our cooperative parish. That work has been carried out more recently with our Vision Team over the last year and continued at our Vision and Leadership Conference, which brought together members of the Vision Team, leaders from our congregations, staff, and others who simply said “yes” to the invitation to be part of the conversation. Now it is time to begin sharing that work more fully with the whole parish. In the weeks and months ahead, we will be creating opportunities—both in person and by Zoom—to talk together about what was discussed and where we believe God may be leading us. We are also working to put together a clear Financial State of the Parish event so that everyone can have a transparent picture of where we stand financially, both as a cooperative parish and within each of our three congregations. We’ll share more about the priorities that emerged from our conversations and the teams that will help us move those priorities from ideas into action. But before we talk about priorities, finances, buildings, or plans, I want to begin somewhere even more fundamental: Who are we? And who do we believe God is calling us to become? At the Vision and Leadership Conference, those gathered identified six core values that help name the kind of community we seek to be: Christ-Centered Community-Focused Welcoming & Connecting Flexible & Adaptable Loving, Caring & Compassionate Inclusive & Accepting
These values are not simply words for a document or a list to hang on a wall. They are meant to describe how we seek to live together as followers of Jesus. They give us something against which we can measure our ministries, our decisions, our relationships, and even the ways we respond when change is difficult. So before we share the full document and dig more deeply into all that came from the Vision and Leadership Conference, I invite you to spend some time with these words.
Which of these values already feels especially true of your experience in our churches? Which one challenges you? What would it look like for these values to shape not only our parish, but your own life as a disciple of Jesus? And what might become possible if we truly lived them out together? This next season will include important conversations and important decisions. My hope is that we enter them remembering that our deepest question is not simply, “What should we do?” but, “Who is God calling us to be?” I look forward to continuing that conversation together. Grace and peace, Rev. Stephanie October 2026
The Blessed Trinity Parish Post
October 2026
The Blessed Trinity Parish Post
FOOD FOR OUR MINDS AND SPIRITS Dr. Allan Georgia The Changing of the Light I saw something special the other day––the first yellow leaves of the season! It was a flash of amarillo while I was driving down one of our wonderful tree-lined streets, and my heart sort of leapt when I saw it. I love when seasons change––however they change––because it reminds me how dynamic our whole world is, and all the stuff in it. You might think, “it hasn’t even been cold yet!” But it turns out, temperature actually does not affect leaf color at all––go figure! The thing that affects leaves and when they change has everything to do with the sun, and how much sunlight lands on trees once the Summer begins to give way to Autumn. We even have fun scientific words to name what makes each color show up–– Chlorophyll for the green leaves, Xanthopyll for yellow, Carotenoids for orange, and Anthocyanins for red leaves You can see them here in an image from the NOAA website. The idea that the presence of light changes the color of leaves makes me reflect on my faith. In a lot of ways, the faith I carry with me in my day to day is like light that I carry with me into the world. After all, we are called to be “salt and light!” It makes me realize that the way that I show up, the way I shine out, the way I allow my faith to enlighten places can help make all kinds of other colors show up in the world. And since a colorful world is a beautiful world, it makes me realize that one of the best things I can do is make sure my light “shines out” before everyone I meet. I hope you’ll do the same!
October 2026
The Blessed Trinity Parish Post
Sharing God’s Love Creating a Community of Care Pastor Marilyn Coney In September’s newsletter article, I asked three things of you. The first was to help the Administrative Assistants update the list of members and friends who were homebound, residing in assisted living or nursing homes. Thanks for your assistance! This will be an on-going request so continue to share information as you are able. Second, I asked that you pray for discernment regarding God calling you to become involved in a care ministry. Please continue to do so, trusting that if God calls you, He will equip you! My third ask was that you consider staying after the Parish-wide worship on October 4th at Pleasant Hills UMC when Pastor Stephanie, Pastor Allan, and myself will share more information about the Parish Care Ministry. This will be a great time to ask questions and share your ideas of how we can care for one another. Mike Simmons is planning to offer a visual regarding our homebound folks and share his thoughts. Having celebrated World Communion Sunday together, I pray we will all be in the spirit of how we might serve those unable to join us for worship! Those were/are my asks. I want to now extend an invitation! On Saturday, October 24th from 10:00am to 2:00pm with lunch provided there will be an introductory workshop for visitation ministry. This is a great opportunity to explore as we cover some of the basics. If you have any interest or may be experiencing a call, please plan to attend. The goal is to provide helpful information and encouragement. No one will be expected to make a commitment. As I wrote before: Caring for one another is more than a program—it is an expression of our faith and a reflection of God’s love and compassion. Together, we can be the hands and feet of Christ, sharing His love one caring act at a time.
October 2026
The Blessed Trinity Parish Post
October 2026
The Blessed Trinity Parish Post
Our prayer shawl ministry meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 7 pm in the Prayer Room at Ridgewood. Anyone with interest in crocheting and knitting is welcome to join us, no matter your skill level. This ministry, begun in January of 2015, creates not only prayer shawls, hats, mittens, scarves, and toys, but also bonds of friendship in our parish. Join us! Contact Dianne Miller if you have any questions. October 2026
The Blessed Trinity Parish Post
United Women in Faith
We believe LOVE in ACTION can change the World!! “Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out of the darkness.” Isaiah 58:10 We typically meet on the 4th Thursday of the month at 11:30 am at Ridgewood. All women are welcome. We often have short programs or work on a mission project. 100% of our funds raised/ donated are used to support local and national missions. All women throughout the Blessed Trinity Parish are invited to attend our meetings. Please consider checking us out. October 22 - UWF meeting at Ridgewood at 11:30 am. Program: making cards for shut-ins December 3 - TBA Operation Christmas Child is the parish wide Monthly Mission in October. Consider filling a shoebox. Details will be available soon United Women in Faith is a Mission and Social Justice organization. Our membership is dwindling. Feel free to join us for any of our meetings or mission projects. Bunches of Blessings ~ Claire Jencson - cell 440.212.5101 / clairej54@icloud.com
WOMEN of FAITH BIBLE STUDY
We completed our study Heaven: When Faith Becomes Sight by Jennifer Rothschild. There will be a few changes in our schedule: October 14 - no Bible Study October 28 - Prayers and meeting to discuss next study. Bring ideas November 11 - Field trip to St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church in Tremont to view the notable statue "Be Welcoming." This bronze sculpture was created by renowned Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz. Details to be announced. November 25 - no meeting December 9- begin new study January 13 & 27 - return to 2nd & 4th Wednesday We hope you will decide to join us. Bunches of blessings, Claire Jencson & Lois Stueber If you have questions about WOF Bible Study - contact Claire Jencson at 440-212-5101 or clairej54@icloud.com As we begin planning for the upcoming ChurchLights season, we're looking for your help with developing the story to be shared at the 2026 ChurchLights Live events. This year's theme is: Christmas looks different for everyone, but we experience it better together. We want to celebrate the many ways people experience Christmas by sharing stories, memories, traditions, and photos from our ChurchLights community.
We're asking each of you to think about:
• • • •
A meaningful Christmas memory from your own life A family tradition that makes Christmas special A photo or image that captures what Christmas means to you A story of kindness, faith, family, or community during the Christmas season But we're also asking you to think beyond yourself. One of the unique things about ChurchLights is that after all these years, we're more than just an event, we're a community. Many of our guests have been attending for years. While we may not know every person by name, there's a good chance that someone on our team knows them personally, knows them from another group they're in, works with them, is related to them, or at least recognizes them as part of our ChurchLights family. continued on next page October 2026
The Blessed Trinity Parish Post
Because of that, we'd love your help identifying people who might have a story worth sharing. Think about:
• • • • •
Family members Friends Neighbors Church members
Longtime ChurchLights attendees Who has a Christmas tradition everyone should hear about? Who has a story that still gets told every year? Who has photos that capture a special Christmas moment? Who has experienced Christmas in a way that might encourage or inspire others? If someone comes to mind, please reach out and invite them to participate. A personal invitation from someone they know may be exactly what it takes for them to share their story. We're not looking for perfect stories or professional photographs. We're looking for real people, real memories, and real experiences. As we gather these stories, we'll begin building a picture of what Christmas looks like across our community and discover how those different experiences connect us together. Thank you for helping us tell the story of Christmas through the lives of the people who make ChurchLights such a special community. Together, we'll show that while Christmas looks different for everyone, we experience it better together .
OCTOBER ANNIVERSARIES Cliff & Judy George October 1 Rob & Megan Arnold October 25 Rick & Marcie Snyder October 8 Randy & Jackie Whittington Oct. 25 Dale & Becky Caputo October 18 Ray & Joanna Ward October 28 John & Courtney Clarke October 18 Tom & Laura Fiffick October 29 Dale & Lynn Ettinger October 22 OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS Maria Held October 2 Joanna Ward October 14 Todd Donnenwirth October 4 Jackie Couch October 19 Molly Simmons October 5 Sue Strizak October 20 Jack Painter October 7 Marcus/Colleen Rindfleisch Oct. 20 Albert Treher October 10 Scott Snyder October 21 Jeff Pegler October 11 Melissa Davila October 26 Paula Gustin October 12 Courtney Clarke October 30 James Hearst October 12 Christopher Kyler October 30 Jeff Held October 14
October 2026
The Blessed Trinity Parish Post
October 2026
The Blessed Trinity Parish Post
The Ridgewood
October Liturgist:
Venny Gray
The deadline for articles for November Blessed Trinity Parish Post is Monday, October 19, 2026.
Leadership Board Meeting
Wednesday, October 28 at 7 pm (Zoom)
Lillyona Hotz 10/3 Robert Burgess 10/10 Bob Arkangel 10/17 Mason McKeon 10/28 Vivienne Mild 10/4 Brian Day 10/11 Jon Cain 10/18 Kathleen Chonko 10/29 Vickie Yates 10/4 Joan Morawski 10/14 Jan Hadden 10/19 Daryl Funk 10/7 Judy Cornell 10/15 Emma Church 10/24 Anna Jencson 10/8 Lois Stueber 10/15 Sharon Schneider 10/27 The church office does not have birth dates listed on most of our records. If you would like to be recognized during your birthday month, please contact the church office, leave a note in the church office mailbox, or sign the list on the table on the second floor. Carolyn Jane (Rea) Dyck, 81, passed away peacefully on August 29, 2026 surrounded by her loving family. She is survived by John Dyck, her loving husband of 58 years, and her two children Sharon (Eric) Beach and Sean (Stacy Piszczor) Dyck. Carolyn found endless joy in her grandchildren Libby (Jack) Beach-Johnson, Erick (Laura) Beach, Elise Beach, Hailey Fields, Isabella Fields, and dear friend Xzayviaire Gibson. All knew she was their biggest cheerleader. As a member of the Ridgewood United Methodist Church for over 70 years, she touched many lives through her faithful service to others. She held many roles, including a devoted interest in the congregation's children and a passion for volunteering at the Free Store. Carolyn and John were among the founding members of the Seekers Class.
A big thank you to everyone that helped in any capacity with Carolyn Dyck's Celebration of Life meal on Saturday, September 19th. Thank you to those that set-up, served, baked, cleaned up and were there to help support John Dyck and the family. Thank you to Betty Schuenaman for continuing to ensure that we have enough bakers for these events.
The family was very much appreciative of all that was done to celebrate our dear friend, Carolyn. God's Blessings to all ~ Barbara Gannon
October 2026