In a few short weeks we will be in Rally mode. September 11th will mark the 63rd Rally Day in the rich history of Trinity Lutheran Church. President Dwight Eisenhower was in the White House when our faithful, visionary founders and their children gathered to worship in the Fall of 1954. If everyone showed up for that Rally Day then the total attendance would have been 37.
On September 11 we will celebrate Rally Day in a grand fashion. We will return to our three service schedule. Once again you can choose to worship at 8:00, 9:30 or 11:00 am. Teachers and students will gather in the Sunday School wing at 9:30 and the Adult Forum Education Hour will resume in the Fireside Room. Then at 1:00 everyone is invited to the M Bar C Ranch in Freeland for a church picnic that promises to be more fun than a barrel of Lutherans. Food, music, horse rides, hay rides, fun and games will be the order of the day.
There is so much to be excited about as we move toward the Fall. We are considering taking part in a partnership in Bihar, India. This pilot project will be coordinated by Lutheran World Relief. Jesus commissioned us to go to the ends of the earth and to love our neighbors as ourselves. This project will make a daily difference in the lives of thousands of people. Blessed to be a Blessing!
We are anticipating entering a purchase and sales agreement to buy the Gay 90’s property. This deal has been in the works for many years. Once we enter the purchase and sales agreement we will have 90 days to due diligence. If all looks good the Church Council will bring the purchase before the Congregation at a meeting sometime around Thanksgiving. If all goes well, we can clean up the neighborhood, increase our visibility, add some parking spots, vacate our existing Highway access, and build a beautiful and safe entrance to our campus.
Lots of you are asking about staffing. We are not planning on entering a Call Process anytime in the foreseeable future. We will be relying on the pastors who are already in the TLC Family. Did you know that we have three recently retired ELCA Pastors? Well, we do and you are going to be seeing a lot of Pastor Eileen Hanson, Pastor Tom Kidd and Pastor Wayne Bacus. In addition, Pastor David Schoen will be providing pastoral support. Pastor Schoen is in the process of retiring from the United Church of Christ.
Pastor Eric Ottum will be leading the mid-week Bible Study on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. in the Fireside Room beginning Sept. 14. Pastor Dennis Hanson will continue his ministry among us also. Reverend Dr. Dave Bieniek will increase his service as a part of our Pastoral Team. As you can see God has richly blessed us!
We will be looking to develop a staffing plan that will allow us to better serve our young people and their families. Christian Education continues to be a priority for us. It is our desire to fill this position as soon as possible.
There is your update! God is good and continues to bless the church that welcomes all, loves all and serves all. What a joy to be a part of Trinity Lutheran Church!
I thank you for your partnership.
Love, PJ
