A PASSAGE TO
The time is drawing near for our
team’s mission trip to
Many of you may
not know that, as a representative of Holy Trinity, part of my mission will be
to establish a relationship with a sister congregation in Namibia. (For your information –
We recently learned that Uudhengelo Lutheran Parish is our sister’s name.
We will continue
our relationship with Uudhengelo forever and attempt to assist them in their
immediate and daily needs as well as any needs that might arise when doing
their long term planning. I will present
a monetary gift to the pastor of that church as a gift from the members of Holy
Trinity. I also plan to take about 1000 small
trinkets for members of the congregation, which is approximately 1500 to 2500
people. Holy Trinity, along with other churches
in the Synod, will also be presenting a seminarian student with books that are
not available in
I have taken
lots of photos of you, our church, services and Lenten dinners, coffee hours
and the grounds of Holy Trinity, and I will be putting together a photo album
to give to this congregation so they can see who we are and what we look
like! It is also my desire to take some
knitted baby caps to give to the local hospitals for the newborns and preemies.
I thank those who so diligently knitted these caps to help me achieve my
goal.
This trip was a
gift to me from God. When I first
learned of our relationship with
We will be
leaving on Monday, July 24 and returning to
Joyfully a child of God,
Cindy Markus
BLAZAK GIVES EYEWITNESS REPORT OF
NEW
Almost 600
people attended the annual meeting of the New Jersey Synod on May 12 and 13 in
Bishop Riley
reported on so many ministries it is difficult to summarize his message.
Instead, let me paraphrase him by saying that we, as a synod, continue to walk
boldly, sharing the Good News, loving God with all our hearts while sharing our
gifts with our neighbors. New mission church efforts are focusing on Latino and
other newly-arrived immigrant populations.
The Bishop spoke
of success in finding new candidates to serve in
Reverend Bruce Davidson described several successes with the Lutheran Office of Governmental Ministry. The State Legislature established a rental assistance program, providing $15 million to help house those most in need. Work with GreenFaith, an ecumenical environmental organization, encourages the use of non-polluting energy and promotes Stewardship of natural resources at the churches across the Synod. Governor Jon Corzine spoke to the assembly on Saturday, discussing his administration’s commitment to help the weakest members of society and to advocate for those whose voice is softest.
Several
resolutions were presented including endorsement of Natural Church Development,
Companionship with Namibian Lutheran Churches and, after some debate, a call
for peace in
Resolution Two
concerned policies regarding gay and lesbian ministers. This resolution was
submitted by The Rev. Gladys Moore and was debated by the assembly at length.
The resolution endorses “restraint” in applying ELCA policies to gay and
lesbian ministers and passed by a vote of 238 to 159. Because the ELCA referred
this whole matter back to committee during the 2005 Church-wide Assembly, there
is considerable doubt what, if any, impact the resolution will have on the
candidacy process in
My overall impression of the assembly was of a great many people walking together on a path. The final destination is known but only understood through ancient writings and visions. The path each individual walks is filled with twists and turns, so many people get lost. But no matter how long we are lost, we are found again. This was an assembly of the found, trying, with all their hearts, to give some light to the millions wandering in the dark.
~ ~ Dennis Blazak
‘STEPHEN’ A LIFE-CHANGING MINISTRY
For me,
In our
weekly sessions, I learned everything I needed to know to become a
caregiver. Most important of all was the
comfort of knowing God was always there to support me, as were the loving,
compassionate people in my group.
Through our sessions, we did some role-playing (which originally scared
me). Through this role-playing though we
came to know each other and care for each other and were taught one of the most
important things in this ministry – how to listen, really listen, to what your
care receiver is saying.
The training I received has been invaluable in my everyday
life. One incident occurred when my aunt
who had breast cancer was going through chemotherapy (She was also in the
beginning stages of Alzheimer’s). She
often felt sick and was afraid to go to more sessions. My uncle and cousins
kept telling her not to be afraid.
Although well intentioned, this is not what my aunt wanted to hear. From what I learned in
There have been innumerable times since my training that I
have used what I learned. Whether in my
daily life with family, friends or co-workers, when I am assigned a care
receiver, or when I see the loving smile of a fellow Stephen Minister, I feel I
have been blessed to have experienced the training to become a Stephen
Minister. Won’t you consider enriching your
life as well?
~ ~ Linda Dodds
PASTORAL CARE TRAINING
Do you enjoy lightening others’ burdens? Have you ever gone through a difficult time and had the gift of a friend who listened to you, not feeling the need to give advice or offer quick fixes, but simply listened? Do you have the gift of time to give?
This coming fall Pastor Mary will begin training a new group of lay pastoral care givers for our church family, to be added to the ranks of our existing Stephen Ministers. The training will consist of weekly 1 ½ hour sessions, beginning in September and lasting ’til spring. Participants will learn active listening skills; role play, offering pastoral support to someone who is ill, grieving, depressed or otherwise in pain; hear guest speakers talk about bereavement issues, postpartum depression, domestic violence, medications and the elderly, the psychological dynamics of job loss, single parenting, the loss of a parent or child, etc.
Those who complete training and wish to serve as lay pastoral care giverS will be assigned a care receiver whom they will visit weekly for one hour. Participation in training is a way to discern if this is a gift you can give. Questions? Interest? Call or e-mail Pastor Mary or any of our Stephen Ministers!
THIRTEEN AFFIRM THEIR BAPTISM
The Holy Trinity family
congratulates the following young men and women who fulfilled their
Confirmation requirements and affirmed their baptism at services June 3 and 4
--
Christian Boodey Eric Dreibelbis
Annie Lynch Jacob Clayton
Summer
Groh Megan McGarry
Kelsey Comerford Michael Guarini
Zachary Ritchie David Cox
Jillian
Gutleber Kelly Spill
Nicholas
Suchecki
We offer our sincere
appreciation to Director of Youth and Family Ministries Karen Astrom, guides Chuck
Augustine, Robin Baymore, Shelli Ritchie, Pat Augustine and Debbie Cox and Pastor Leitzke.
WELCA NEWS
The executive board will meet at
The
The
The Circle of Hope will not meet in
August. The women will have a social gathering/picnic at
Check the church bulletin for dates
when the Trinity Crafters will meet or contact Ronnie Reed for information.
Ronnie’s telephone number is (732) 701-1160.
Looking ahead, all Lutheran women
are invited to attend the New Jersey Women of the ELCA Annual Convention, Oct.
13 and 14 in the St. Pius Spiritual Life Center,
Registration forms must be submitted
by Aug. 15. A delegate is needed and scholarships are available. See the WELCA
bulletin board for details or call Diane Guarini. Diane’s telephone number is
(732) 974-8263.
STEWARDSHIP
Program Makes Giving Simple
The members of the Stewardship/ Evangelism Committee would like to wish everyone a safe and happy, healthy summer. Many of you will be traveling and vacationing, doing things you have been planning for a long time. We will miss some of you at worship but trust God will be watching over you while you are away. We hope in your planning you will remember to leave your "First Fruits" offering for God's work here at Holy Trinity.
This would be a good time to consider "Simply Giving.”
“Simply Giving” is a safe, reliable, automated giving program to help you conveniently and consistently contribute to our congregation. You can be faithful with your giving even when you are away. “Simply Giving” eases the worries of forgetting your envelope, forgetting your checkbook, if you are out of town, or if you are ill.
When winter arrives, even the occasional snow storm will not keep your offering from doing the Lord's work.
If you would like more information or an enrollment form, please call our Finance Secretary, Paul DiCorcia (732) 899-0870.
We hope you enjoy the peace of mind Simply Giving can provide. Have a wonderful Summer!
‘SEW’ WHAT?
Sew blankets (you
may also knit or crochet them, if that’s where your talents lie) for Project
Linus with The Trinity Blanketeers. The group will meet July 24 at
SUMMER
Sunday School is closed for summer break but you can still borrow books from the Sunday School library. There are over 700 books in our library. A suggested reading list is posted on the library bulletin board. Books may be borrowed for two (2) weeks. Be sure to fill in the card at the back of the book with the date borrowed, your first and last name and your telephone number. No need to shelve the book when you return it – just leave it on the book cart and one of the library volunteers will return it to its proper place. Happy reading!
A gentle
reminder: The following library books are overdue or missing. Adventures of
Frog and Toad, Bridge to Terebithia, For Every Child: The Rights
of the Child (UNICEF), Hatchet, The Little Drummer Boy, Prayer
of the Earth, Santa’s Favorite Story, Where Does God Live?
and Who Was Born This Special Day?
Also, videos Prayer Bear: Best Friends and The Story of
Christmas and the CD Raised on Earth.
If you borrowed any of these titles, please return them so that others may enjoy them. Many thanks!
SCHWIER MAKES THE GRADE
Tamara E. Schwier recently completed the Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI) course!
Individuals who complete this program learn the fundamentals of brokerage and other areas of real estate specialization.
The NJ GRI program is certified and approved by the National Association of Realtors and only members of the Realtor organization may earn the GRI.
Congratulations, Tammy!
READ & DISCUSS
AMONG YOURSELVES!
The Stacey
Book Discussion Group meets at
The group’s purpose is to informally discuss books suggested by the members. These discussions add dimension and meaning to the literary works and provide considerable insight into the authors’ sometimes hidden meanings or messages.
Join the Stacey Book Discussion Group when they discuss A. Chekov’s Ward in July and Faulkner’s Light and August – appropriately J -- in August!
CHILDREN OF GOD
Benjamin Kenneth Bahrs was baptized Saturday, April 15; Jack Logan Kaelber was baptized Saturday, April 22; James Gerencser was baptized Sunday, April 23.
Ryan James Martin was baptized Sunday, May 7.
Ava Jean Hartnett and Colby Joseph Johnston were baptized Sunday, June 11; Kenneth Reliance Wines was baptized Sunday, June 18.
LOVE & MARRIAGE
Thomas Louis Mertens and Nancy
Joan Intilli were joined in Holy Matrimony May 20 at
We want to thank all who worked on our Mother’s Day floral arrangements and all who purchased them for their loved ones.
All profits will be donated to a special charity. Also, thanks in advance for the supplies you have donated to our summer health kits.
God bless you,
Janet Barber and Joan Bowers
Social Ministry Co-chairs
♥