Jun 18, 2022 | Pastor Jim's Blog
A Word from Pastor Jim…
My grandfather was a sharecropper; working a farm that belonged to someone else. My father was a child of the great depression. By age 10 he was working in the farm fields. He was a water boy, delivering buckets of fresh water to those who toiled under the summer sun. Decades later, I would be out about town with him, and the old timers still called him “boy.”
He would enlist and serve in the United States Navy. He would spend the last of his teen years in harm’s way, in the Pacific theatre of World War II. After the war, he had no desire to return to the farm, there to labor under the iron fist of his father. He enrolled in barber school in Chicago, though I am not sure that he ever cut hair for a living.
His work career would revolve around paint. He worked for my uncle, painting the barns and homes that dot the flat farmland of Northern Illinois; he worked in the Seymour of Sycamore spray paint factory. Ed Seymour was the inventor of aerosol spray paint. He moved from blue collar assembly line work to white collar plant management when I was in Middle School. He would end his career in marketing.
After a battle with alcoholism and inpatient treatment, his life settled down. Simple pleasures were the best. On my parents 45th wedding anniversary their three children presented them with a most unusual gift, the baptismal bowl in the soon to be completed sanctuary at Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland. Five months later he would be dead, a victim of pancreatic cancer at the age of 69.
He shows up every once in a while, in a dream. I always give thanks and take the visitation as a gift from God. He was my golf buddy, he taught me how to chew with my mouth closed, to put the toilet seat back down for my mother and my sister, to throw a baseball, and to honor the old folks by visiting them and listening to their stories.
Tomorrow we will celebrate fathers. Their stories are human stories. They were lovable perhaps, flawed for sure, protectors maybe, providers hopefully. They were products of their raising. They did not arrive fully formed; they too were raised by parents who were flawed and imperfect. They did the best that they could, and their lives are worth celebrating. May God bless all fathers and all families. May we take the lessons that we were taught and evolve into better human beings.
One day closer,
Pastor Jim Lindus
father of three
Jun 15, 2022 | Pastor Jim's Blog
This past Sunday, June 12, we held our mid-year congregational meeting where we received written reports from staff members along with an overview of our current financial position. Printed reports are available in the church office.
At this meeting, the Council offered the following resolution of Thanksgiving for Council Members who had completed their terms of service:
Gus Erikson, Council President 2019-2021 & Treasurer
Julie Humling, Secretary
George Fisher, Council Member
Vicki Theel, Council Member
Julia Maher, Youth Representative Council Member
Having faithfully completed their terms of service to the people of God at Trinity Lutheran Church, the Church Council moves this Resolution of Thanksgiving to Gus Erikson, Julie Humling, George Fisher, Vicki Theel and Julia Maher.
The motion passed unanimously, with much applause and gratitude for the thoughtful and dedicated service of these dear members.
Soon after, the congregation voted to elect the following members to the council:
Lynn Anderson
Cam Castle
Jennifer Gandarias
Judy Smith
Alyssa Staats
Each of these people were elected to three-year terms, with the exception of Alyssa Staats, who is filling the Youth Representative position, which is a one-year term.
These new members join continuing council members:
Jan Wright – President
Arne Bergstrom – Vice President
Alice Rockhill – Secretary
Mike Johnson – Treasurer
Randy Enberg – Member
Jane Lusk – Member
Diane Reiersgard – Member
Gary Schallock – Member
Blessed to be a blessing, we thank God for the faithful leadership of the people of Trinity Lutheran Church.
Tiny Houses in the Name of Christ (THINC)
The congregation also unanimously voted in favor of a Resolution of Financial Support for the THINC Tiny House Project in Langley.
You can help to support this Tiny House project by contributing through our GoFundMe drive.
THINC has also invited the community to a fundraising Garage Sale this Saturday, June 18, from 9:00 – 4:00 at 2650 Sunlight Beach Road, Clinton.
Jun 11, 2022 | Pastor Jim's Blog
How does one measure the health and vitality of a community of faith in pandemic days? There are many metrics that we can use to measure congregational health and vitality.
Baptisms
In the past three months our congregation has celebrated the baptisms of 5 children and one adult. In addition, another 26 adults affirmed their baptisms. This is a sign of vitality. One third of all ELCA congregations reported no baptisms in 2021.
Worship Attendance
Consistent with national trends, we have seen a decline in our in-person worship attendance by 35% when compared to pre-pandemic days. During the same time, our online presence has increased dramatically.
Visitors
We have been welcoming a wide variety of visitors and will receive new members on Sunday, June 26. People of faith have been moving to Whidbey Island. Others have begun attending in-person after a season of worshiping with us online. Welcoming visitors and new members is a shared responsibility. Please be aware of this calling and go out of your way to warmly greet those who visit with us.
Offerings
2022 is off to a very strong start. Blessed to be a Blessing! The people of TLC are generous and faithful. In gratitude we support the church and the most vulnerable in our world. In 2022 we have given $105,000 to disaster relief. Most of this giving was in support of refugees in Eastern Europe. We have given $17,000 to ELCA World Hunger, and we have offered financial assistance to dozens of non-profits on Whidbey Island.
The challenge in the second half of 2022 will be to support our general fund as all areas of our budget are feeling the effects of inflation. It is critical too that we fairly compensate our employees.
Growing Young
Consistent with national trends and Whidbey Island demographics we are not growing younger. We are aging. Our Preschool is thriving, but our Sunday School students have been slow to return from their pandemic absence.
Unity of Mission
Mine is the church where everybody’s welcome! We are united in our love of God, in our commitment to follow Jesus Christ, and to serve our neighbors far and near. We do not agree on all political issues, we support different political parties and agendas. When we gather at Trinity, our differences are put aside as we joyfully worship and serve together.
Endowment Outreach
Thanks to our generous donors, and the good stewardship of the TLC Endowment Committee, we have been able to offer scholarships to 32 students this Fall. The Endowment benefits our larger community and the world. Your gifts to the TLC Endowment literally touch the future.
Leadership
We have been blessed with outstanding leadership as we have weathered the pandemic, the vitriolic politics, and the anxiety brought on by war and gun violence. I am thankful to Gus Erikson, Julie Humling, Vicki Theel, George Fisher, and Julia Maher as they complete their terms on the Church Council. I am thankful for the many volunteers who lead by serving and loving the people of God. Your church staff is thankful for the many expressions of support that we receive from our leaders.
In the Summer of 2022 Trinity Lutheran Church is healthy. It is a time of transition. We will be making a major effort to re-engage our community and reconnect with members who have yet to return from the pandemic lock-down.
It is a time of transition as Linda Nevermann, Pastor Eric Ottum, and Felicia Lindus retire from our staff.
I had a private visit with our Northwest Washington Synod Bishop and our Assistant to the Bishop two weeks ago. They recognize TLC as a model congregation, a healthy, vital parish marked by trust, hospitality, and generosity.
I thank God for each of you and for the ministry that we share. The future is in God’s hands, the future is bright, the TLC miracle will continue, and together we are One Day Closer.
Pastor Jim Lindus
Jun 4, 2022 | Pastor Jim's Blog
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim…
“For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” They don’t stay little very long; we give thanks for the changing seasons and the seasons we share.
On Wednesday night, we honored the 2022 Graduates of Trinity Preschool. It was a festive gathering of song, snow cones, pomp and circumstance as parents, siblings, and grandparents celebrated the achievement of their 5-year-olds. Soon they will be off to kindergarten.
On Tuesday night, it was a privilege for me to be at South Whidbey High School as the 2022 graduates were honored and presented with academic scholarships. The most decorated and accomplished scholars of the Class of 2022 were invited to attend. Trinity Lutheran Church awarded six scholarships as we committed $142,000 in financial support to these students. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, TLC was by far the largest scholarship provider.
Sitting on the stage that night were 8 members of the Trinity Preschool Class of 2009. For 13 years we have watched with pride as they have grown into adulthood.
Now they will go off to change the world for the better, taking with them the lessons learned at Trinity Preschool.
Our South Whidbey High School scholarship recipients include Trinity Preschool grads: Shianna Baker, Erik Haugen, Kailey Ricketts and Julia Maher. Daughters of our parish, Annie Campbell and Natalie Monetti, will also be going to college this Fall as TLC scholars.
(Photo of Julia and PJ)
For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven. The future is bright; the road ahead is filled with promise, and we are in good hands. Let us give thanks!
One day closer,
Pastor Jim
Congratulations to all of our 2022 High School graduates:
Caleb Meyer, Kalea Staats, Natalie Monetti, Kailey Ricketts, Julia Maher & Annie Campbell
Jun 3, 2022 | Pastor Jim's Blog
Today’s Word from your TLC Staff
This Sunday we will be honoring Linda Nevermann for her 24 years of service to Trinity Lutheran Church. The Bell Choir will be playing for one last time under her direction. We would encourage you to bring a card or greeting for Linda as she retires.
A word of thanks from Karl Olsen, Minister of Music
She’s my Swiss-cheerleading, bell-ringing, alto-singing, alphorn-playing, set piece-creating, Pig-Out-hosting, little kid-loving, advance-planning, ever-learning, servant-hearted, seldom-tiring, people-caring, cornet-playing, handbell choir-directing friend of 24 years. Yes, she’s Linda Nevermann!
In 1997, after Trinity received a gift of a few octaves of English handbells, Linda joined our fledgling group of bell-ringers for our maiden voyage, and by the end of that season, having had a bit of handbell experience 20 years earlier, agreed to become the director of the bell choir in the fall of 1998. Linda embarked on recruiting members, acquiring new music and learning everything she could about handbells.
She went on road trips with Suzanne Ramsey and others to bell conventions and workshops, where they got immersed in bell culture and techniques, and returned home to share it all with us. Now, after 24 years of dedicated service, from boomwhackers to tennis balls to bell concerts and more, Linda has decided to take one or two of those titles off her list, and retire as our director.
Her indefatigable spirit, and desire to assist the congregation in worship, and her heart for the bell program (especially the ringers behind the bells) will be missed. Linda’s constant presence in the musical life of Trinity and her being an important part of what has made up the spirit of this place have been a great gift, and I am truly grateful.
Linda is not going away, and may appear behind a bell or two in the future! But, for now, please join in thanking Linda Nevermann for a job so well and so faithfully done for all these years!
Linda–all the best wishes and prayers for your well-deserved rest.
Peace—Karl
A Word from Deacon Amy, Director of Christian Education
Among her many talents, skills, and titles, Linda has been the coordinator of our Sunday morning Adult Education program for more than a dozen years now. Linda has led this program with incredible enthusiasm, scheduling guest speakers to include Muslim Imams and Buddhist monks, college professors, retired pastors, and even an astronaut!
Linda has stretched our idea of Christian Education to include learning about the faith traditions of our neighbors near and far. She has taught us to look at the painful parts of our Christian history and dream of a better future together. She has introduced us to Christian ministries on the island, across the state, and around the world. Linda has broadened our understanding of Christian faith in the world today, and she has done it all with a strong and abiding love of Christ, and of this community.
And how can I talk about Linda without mentioning her amazing VBS decorative displays! We will never forget the jungle creatures leaping from the walls, the life-size farm animals grazing in the narthex, and the incredible amount of talent and time that went into not only creating these displays, but envisioning the plans from the beginning.
Thank you, Linda, for your heart-felt and steadfast leadership. You will be missed!
Love and peace to you, Deacon Amy
May 29, 2022 | Pastor Jim's Blog
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim…
Felicia and I visited the beaches of Normandy last October. The Sunday before leaving Whidbey Island we had talked with Web Halvorsen who, 77 years earlier, had stormed Utah Beach as a part of the greatest invasionary force in human history. It was humbling to walk the beaches, to visit the museums, to read the accounts of brave soldiers and ordinary citizens, to stand on the bluffs of Pointe du Hoc, and to silently stroll through rows of white crosses.
On October 28th we found ourselves on the Greek island of Mykonos. It was a national holiday known as “Ohi Day.” Literally, it is “No Day.” On October 28, 1940, at 3:00 am, the Axis powers demanded Greek submission. The words of the Italian ambassador were threatening and clear: the Greek government would either allow the armies of Italy and Germany to occupy Greece or there would be war.
The Greek Prime Minister replied, “Then it’s war.” He said “Ohi.” He said, “No.” Two hours later, Greece was under attack.
On October 28, 2021 on the Island of Mykonos, we watched as every citizen took to the streets. Flags were held high as school children marched, bands played, and the bravery of a different time was remembered and celebrated.
On Monday, May 30th, Felicia and I will be attending the Memorial Day observance at the Clinton Cemetery next to Saint Peter’s Church. The bell will toll, the dead will be remembered, the speaker will be our own Andy Hough, who served in the United States Army for 22 years. This holiday is not about fishing, picnics, golfing, and boating. Memorial Day invites us to remember the sacrifices that were made that we might fish, picnic, golf, worship, and boat in freedom.
May we have an increased awareness this year of our indebtedness.
One day closer,
Pastor Jim
