Trinity Lutheran Church / Freeland, WA/ Fall Newsletter

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Trinity Lutheran Church Online Newsletter

FALL 2012 NEWSLETTER

Getting ready for a great new year at TLC! Vacations are drawing to an end... the TLC pilgrims to Turkey and Greece are completing their scrapbooks of the trip... Karl is forgetting his conversational Japanese phrases from his tour with the Brothers Four... children’s laughter from a very successful Vacation Bible School is but a memory... the wedding season is winding down... we are working through our grief at Pastor George’s passing helped by volunteers who have kept the OWLS luncheons that he began going strong.

Now there is increased activity and excitement as we prepare for Rally Day on September 9.

On that day we will return to three Sunday worship services, the children will be returning to Sunday School,

INSIDE THIS ISSUE...

Home Visits.............................. 2 New Members Class................ 2 TLC T-Shirts............................. 3 TLC4TLC.................................. 3 Adult Education........................ 4 Bible Study............................... 4 Preschool Update..................... 6 Thank yous............................... 7 Meet TLC’s Church Council...... 8

our youth group goes into full swing, the choir will be singing, the bell choir will resume their ringing, and the Adult Education class will kick off its new season with a September focus on Ethics taught by Pastor Dennis.

TLC pre-schoolers will be starting a new year and filling the annex wing with songs and laughter during the week.

Pastor Eric will begin a new weekly Bible study on Tuesday evenings and Wednesday mornings on 1st and 2nd Corinthians.

Pastor Jerry is looking forward to visiting with families in their homes

on a venture to assist members with faith formation in the home.

The WELCA women are putting on a fashion show and getting ready for another Fall Bazaar to raise funds for local charities.

And later this Fall we will begin an investment in TLC’s infrastructure–a TLC4TLC campaign for fixing and replacing broken or damaged parts, paying off our debt, and upgrading to meet future needs.

It all starts on September 9, Rally Day. Come to church, and then meet that afternoon at M-Bar-C Ranch for a Rally Day picnic. Bring friends. And remember to wear your TLC t-shirts!

Rally Day HoeDown at the M-Bar-C Ranch in Freeland Sunday, September 9 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Sign up to help or bring a dish.

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Interviews for faith formation in the home “What if any effect does your participation in the church have on your life at home?” This is one of the questions we considered at a conference on faith formation in the home held at Pacific Lutheran University in June.

Another question asked was “What, if any, spiritual practices do you do in your home?” Interestingly enough a number of people interviewed in congregations answered this question with the question,“What are spiritual practices?”

Over the next few months I plan to make appointments to visit homes with a questionnaire that includes these and few other questions to get better acquainted with the households that make up Trinity Lutheran and to discuss ways Trinity is currently and can in the future better support faith formation in home and daily life.

Why would we want to do this?

While what we do together at Trinity is vitally important for a life of faith and service in Christ, what we do in our homes is no less important. How in our homes do we engage in caring conversations, prayer and devotion, shared meals, rituals and traditions and service activities?

Studies show intentional faith formation in the home by way of these and other faith practices is far more effective in helping young and old alike to integrate their spirituality into everyday life and for passing faith from one generation to the next.

As pastor for soulful home ministries, I look forward to these home visits. If you’re interested in my coming to your home, please call me at 360.331.1324. Yours can be a

New members’ class begins 9/23

household of one, a dozen, or more.

It is our congregation’s mission to see intentional faith formation taking place in every household and I am thrilled to lend my support to this effort.

Submitted by Pastor Jerry

Men’s Group News Pastor Jerry’s ‘Bridges to Contemplative Living’ Men’s Group continues to meet twice a month: after the monthly men’s breakfast, and also on the 1st Saturday of the month at Anchor Books and Coffee in Clinton at 8 a.m. in conference room.

New members are welcome.

Come and see if this is a group for you.

Contact Pastor Jerry for more information.

Trinity Lutheran Church P.O. Box 97 Freeland, Washington 98249 Telephone: 1-360-331-5191 email: robin@trinityfreeland.org on the web at: www.trinitylutheranfreeland.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/ trinitylutheranchurchfreeland

FALL 2012

Managing Editor - Pastor Jim Editor-In-Chief - Robin Edgeman Online Design - Laura Canby

Thinking about joining TLC? Would you like to know more about what Lutherans believe? Wonder what it means to become a member of Trinity?

Join Pastors Dennis Hanson and Eric Ottum on Sunday, September 23, 30 and October 7 at 11 a.m. in the Fireside room. Please call the church office at 331-5191 to sign up.

Contributors to this issue: Lana Johnson, Pastor Jerry O’Neill Linda Nevermann, Laura Canby Pastor Jim Lindus, Anne Dotson, Robin Edgeman, Pastor Jerry O’Neill Holly Davison

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Got your TLC t-shirt yet?

Have you purchased your TLC T-Shirt yet? There are still some available in the gym during coffee hour. The colorful T-Shirts are for sale at cost and come in sizes Small to 2-X, plus youth sizes.Wear them on rally day and at the Church Hoedown at the MBar-C Ranch. $9 each; 2 for $16; 3 for $24 or 4 for $30.

TLC4TLC to provide infrastructure

Summer Baptisms...

repairs, upgrades... and blessings Every week you come to TLC for a FAITH LIFT now it is time to give a FACE LIFT to our beloved Church Home.

You will hear a lot about the TLC 4 TLC Campaign in the next two months. God has entrusted us with this beautiful place and called us to be good stewards.

• Upgrading our Audio Visual system in the sanctuary.

This fall we will be encouraging everyone to joyfully contribute to a Campaign that will give our church campus a much needed update. To that end we will be:

• A tithe to local Foodbanks— Good Cheer and Gifts from the Heart.

• Establish a Seminary Scholarship to help future leaders of the Church.

TLC 4 TLC is a celebration of all that God has entrusted to us. TLC 4 TLC is a celebration of the many blessings God has given us. TLC 4 TLC: Caring for our campus and building a strong foundation for the future.

• Replacing our church sign.

• Improving and expanding our parking lot.

• Removing and refinishing our steeple.

• Painting and carpeting.

Other Goals of the TLC 4 TLC Campaign include: • Eliminating our remaining debt.

• Saving $200,000 for future property acquisition.

Blessed to Be a Blessing!

• Installing Solar Panels • Upgrading and improving the efficiencies of our plumbing and heating systems.

• Repairing a roof that leaks.

Pastor Jim

Erika Ann & Ryan Philip Thonn – children of Doug and Sarah Thonn, grandchildren of Paul Thonn Vanessa Marguerite Brunjes – daughter of Cynthia and H. Curtis Brunjes; Granddaughter of Sandra & Al Iversen

...and New Members

We also welcome these new TLC members:

Jon & Ginger Arnold Dave Bieniek & Ervin Knezek Pat & Jack Hamilton Cheri & Gene Mayer Camille Welander

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Adult Education focuses on ethics

September 9, 16,23,30

ness, so goes conversation on ethics.

What’s right? What’s wrong? Who says?

“...A Christian holding four aces” -- Mark Twain

Pastor Dennis will lead the conversation on the varied ways we make decisions regarding right, wrong; good, not-so-good, bad, real bad, and “who knows?” (Neither Mark Twain nor Peter Drucker are available).

Ethics:

“...What stays in the Preface of the average business science book” --Peter Drucker From humor to cynicism; from confusion to hard-headedness to helpful-

Speaker: Pastor Dennis Hanson

Pastor Eric to teach Bible study on 1st and 2nd Corinthians Pastor Eric will begin a Bible study on Corinthians I and II beginning September 18 (Tuesday evening) at 7 p.m., and again on Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. in the Fireside Room.

Look for signups soon.

There is also the ongoing early Bird Thursday morning Bible study in Grigware Hall at 6:30 a.m.

Hearts Together Bible study also meets in Grigware Hall on Mondays at 10 a.m.

A NOTE FROM ANNETTE To My Island Church Family!

I am delighted to let you know that last month I met with the Candidacy Committee of the NW Washingt on S ynod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) and enthusiastically received full approval for ordination.

It was a bit of an emotional moment for me and a heartwarming milestone on the journey I have been traveling the last couple of years. My internship was completed on August 19 and I am now in the call process.

THANK YOU to all of you who have been supporting me and praying for me. Keep up those prayers for the perfect church placement to emerge that will engage my gifts and fit within the needs of my family.

Hopefully, you will receive an invitation to an ordination in the not too distant future!

With gratitude and joy, Annette Andrews-Lux

Coming in mid-September... watch for more details.

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Please join us for a work party at TLC Sept. 15 We are having a work party at TLC on Saturday, September 15 The day will begin with a Men’s Breakfast at 8 a.m. The breakfast will be free for all workers. Once we have fuel in our tanks we will begin the work.

We will be spreading new play chips on the TLC Playground. This will make our Playground safer for all our children.

Next, on to the steeple. Nichols Brothers Shipyard will be helping us to take down the steeple. It should be quite a sight. Then we will be buffing it clean. While that is happening the skylight above the sanctuary will be replaced by professionals.

We will have other less back breaking work as well. So bring your gloves, a rake, a sweatshirt, your appetite and a good attitude. The coffee will be on as we care for our campus.

Trinity Youth Group News...

HIGH SCHOOL Group! We are going to spend some time this fall learning and “earning” with Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace program for Teens.

Look at your calendar and determine which day/night of the week will work best for you to attend this 6-week program offered at TLC. More details to follow!

Please email Kristi (simplesis01@

Come & Pray With Us Wednesday Prayer Group Meets at Maple Ridge Our Trinity Prayer Group meets on Wednesday mornings at Maple Ridge Assisted Living, 1767 Alliance Avenue in Freeland, at 9 a.m. You are welcome to join us anytime.

Talk to Linda Plitkins, Prayer Group Coordinator, if you have questions, or call the church office.

If you could RSVP for breakfast that would help our cooking team.

Look for signups or call the church office.

Thank you.

yahoo.com) with the day and time that works best for you!!

HIG H S C HO O L & M I D D L E SCHOOL! WE WANT YOU! Monday, September 3rd, 10:30 – 1:30, join us for a service project.

MIDDLE SCHOOL/CONFIRMATION: An opportunity to meet other confirmands in our Synod is available at a retreat October 13 -14 @ LUTHERWOOD for a cost of under $50!!

Meet at Helping Hand of South Whidbey in Langley (across from the Fairgrounds entrance) to do yardwork and maintenance. Bring gloves, clippers, safety glasses and water.

Please email Kristi as soon as possible to let her know if you have an interest in attending the retreat.

Email Kristi as soon as possible to let her know if you are coming, as food will be provided!

Looking for bell ringers...

WELCA FASHION SHOW

Mission Bells is our beginning bell choir and we are beginning rehersals on September 10 at 6:30.

Saturday, September 22

Whether you read music or not, we need you. You will be taught to read music and ring, paticipate in worship services, and have fun with others who enjoy ringing.

Please talk with Linda, or call the Office at 331-5191, or e-mail Linda@ TrinityFreeland.org.

Please consider serving in the Mission Bell Choir. Thank you!

Noon to 2 p.m. In the Gym A gift from the WELCA Board to all of the women of Trinity!

Have a lovely catered lunch and enjoy the new fall fashions from a few of our favorite island shops!

Due to the nature of a catered meal we really need you to sign-up in advance so we can plan accordingly. Sign-ups will be in the narthex soon. We hope to see you there!

- - K a t hy, A u ro ra , J u d y a n d Lorraine(interim), your WELCA Board

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TLC Preschool update: let fun and learning begin!

It is quiet at Trinity Preschool for a few weeks after wrapping up the school year and our annual daycamp.

Toys will be cleaned, supplies will be purchased, lessons will be planned.

Specifically, we are looking for help in these areas:

We finished another year of fun and learning with a week of special festivities at the end of May. Each class had a goodbye celebration, the PreK's had a special graduation celebration, and we all enjoyed a beautiful day at Maxwelton Beach for our all school picnic.

At the end of June many of our friends returned to school to celebrate "Our Island Home" during a week of daycamp. We celebrated life on the beach, beautiful gardens, and hiking in the woods. We also had a lot of fun playing on our new preschool tall ship!

While the children are off enjoying time with their families, the staff is busy preparing for a new school year.

Please let us know if you are interested in helping with our preschool projects.

• Skip your work out and join us for a work day on the playground to spread bark on September 15.

• Design and build a reading loft for 2's classroom (church nursery)

In addition we have some outside improvements we hope to have done this summer. We will be adding new bark to our playground to ensure the upmost safety for the children, and we have a plan to create a village around our new tall ship. We also hope to have special reading area created for our toddler room.

Another exciting school year is about to begin, but for now, enjoy the peaceful, sunny days of summer....fall is just around the corner.

--Felicia Lindus Preschool Director

Find TLC on Facebook Find TLC on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/trinitylutheran churchfreeland Watch sermon videos on both Facebook and the church’s website.

Also, check out our video channel on Vimeo. http://vimeo.com/channels/ trinitylutheranchurch

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Thank you! Thank you!

For ALL Vacation Bible School Volunteers -- A Thank You From Holly Davison, Coordinator and gratitude to all who helped make Vacation Bible School an awesome experience for the children of this island community. I thank you for your willingness to help and flexibility. The hard work, dedication, and positive attitudes of all of the volunteers was inspiring. I feel blessed to be able to call this congregation my family and Trinity my home.

God Bless- Holly Davison AND THANK YOU, HOLLY, FOR DOING A GREAT JOB AS COORDINATOR!

Thank you to our garden volunteers...

Sandy Nelson,TLC Garden Coordinator would like to thank her team for all their TLC of our church grounds, including: Don & Pat Johnson, Lynn Anderson, Chris & Dale Einwalter, Julie Humling, Gloria & Dave Hartnett, Joanne and Gary Guernsey, Debbie & Ken Starkweather, Bill & Shari Cochran, Gert & Jim Tasche, Carolyn Haroldson,Teri Hagstrom, Mollie Lile, Betty Galbreath, Joan Blasko, Jim Nelson, Jeff & DeAnn Olson, Jo McCloskey, Sue Fosnes,Ann Jones, Kristi Etzell and our Youth Group, Leon Josephson, Marge & Dale Culver, Sandie and Richard Husom, Pam Mock, and Bill Curtis.

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Meet Your TLC Church Council

John Villapudua President

Vice President Holly Davison

Teri Schallock Treasurer

Lynne Hossfeld Secretary

Gary Guernsey

Lois Rothe

Mike Etzell

Pat Johnson

Pat Sasson

Craig Reide

Anne Dotson

Kevin Lungren