Trinity Tidings
December 2006
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From the Pastor News and Notes Upcoming Events Community News |
From the PastorGentle Mary— faith moved her heart, and her lips gave faith expression, and she offered herself as an instrument of God’s Mystery.
Gentle Mary— her very soul was bursting, and her lips formed a spirit-songof wonder that she would be most blessedof all women in History.
Gentle Mary— John leaped in Elizabeth’s womb, and Elizabeth offered her own aria of recognition, of rejoicing, and proclamation of God’s great Prophecy.
Gentle Mary— Joseph schemed and dreamed and listened to God and took her as his wife, trusting in God’s Mystery. Gentle Mary— Caesar decreed a census for taxation, and she traveled with Joseph, belly great with child, a holy missionironically served by human History.
Gentle Mary— she strained and cried in the straw and the night, and her face brightened with a sweat-stained smile, as she beheld the Light of the Worldand held her son of Prophecy.
Gentle Mary— swept up in the soft clatterof shepherds’ feet and the bleat of sheep and the gifts of magi and a grace that should find us gazing withher adoringly at God’s Sweet Mystery.
Christmas Blessings, News and NotesFrom the Church Office *** The Flower Chart for the first half of 2007 is hanging in the narthex. Reserve your date today! Notices *** “Pastor Pete” and Ellen Peterson from Aberdeen, WA, will be accompanying a group to England, Scotland and Wales on June 24th—July 27th, 2007. The tour is arranged by Cosmos, of the Globus family of tour companies, and, although it is not a “Christian Tour,” we are hopeful most, if not all, of the travelers will appreciate Christian values. We plan to have fun, learn a few things, and make new friends along the way. If you have wanted to see this part of the world, consider joining us. For information or a brochure, contact us at (360) 532-4943 or (800) 541-0186 (ask for Ellen) or email us at revpete@techline.com. *** Thank you for your Northwest Harvest food donation. Your support brightens the lives of thousands of hungry people in Washington State, letting them know that they are not alone and that hope against hunger is possible. On behalf of the staff and volunteers of Northwest Harvest, thank you again for support this year.-Shelley Rotondo, Executive Director *** Worshiping with your children, supporting and surviving sports seasons, and recognizing angels at work are just a few of the life issues that Susie Scheyder contemplates in her book, The Other Side of the Pulpit. As the wife of a pastor and mother of five, she finds humor in the irony of how her family meets the expectation of being “the perfect pastor’s family.” Susie writes about their life together and celebrates that God’s grace goes way beyond our failings. If you would like to order a copy for yourself or for a friend, (perhaps as a Christmas gift!) simply send $12.00 and your address to: The Other Side, P.O. Box 323, Niantic, CT 06357. The Other Side of the Pulpit is also available at Amazon.com. Editor’s Note: Susie Scheyder is my sister! Christmas Giving OpportunitiesWheatridge Seals Compass Cascade Women’s Program Center Think SCRIP for the Holidays! Support Concordia Lutheran School and save a trip to the mall! Stocking Stuffer Ideas – Need a little something to tuck into a Christmas card or give the paperboy? — Give the gift of scrip! Holiday Gift Giving – That son/daughter/coworker/parent who is so hard to buy for — Give the gift of scrip! Contact Joanne Matson, who coordinates the SCRIP program at Trinity, to participate. Also, watch your mailbox for more details. Light on the HillI am using definitions to explain what I’m trying to say. The first word is Spaing or Spange. At PseudoDictionary.com:Spange to beg for money, typically change. Spainging, 1) Begging for money when not needed. 2) Street slang for spare change. I went to a forum held by Common Cents at the University Heights Center. Penny Harvest presented a forum asking questions of youth who are homeless. I up until then took my Disability Check for granted. I came away learning more of myself. First, the check was not my choice. I had Neurosurgery. A surgery that might remove Seizures that came sometimes, like a bulb that flickers. I spainged for surgery. The point was to become like my peers. There was scar tissue caused by an incubator: 1) An apparatus in which environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity, can be controlled, often used for bacteria. 2) An apparatus for maintaining a premature infant in a controlled environment. In my case, it caused the brain to leave a roasted scar. That put pressure on the brain. In turn, it left me with small “shorts” like a flickering light bulb. I decided to relieve the pressure by having it cut out. Returning to the forum: I listened to these stories of how these youth go from shelter to shelter, spend time in the library or the street, not by their choice. The shelters are not safe. One youth told about how her mom was using drugs and that her mom had stolen from her. For her, school and shelters did not mix; so, she basically lived in the library. Up until then, I had greatly complained to God. I was still spainging even though I was free of seizures. My object was to be employed and not to be dependent on the government. While at the forum, I saw a young adult with a baby. The parent was getting an education while living at the YMCA. In the past, I had the opportunity to help her while we sat at Jack in the Box. I helped her by simply listening. Until October the 26th, the day of the forum, I had been quite mad with God. It was then that I began to understand God’s Grace. I found myself sitting in church at a congregational meeting where I heard a lot of what might bring the sense of “community.” But, nothing happened. I would be a statistic in most churches; however, at the age of 15, God led a couple into my life. Through their contact, a need was met, an emotional need. It was at this time in my life that I could not tell anyone what was going on at home. It just wasn’t done back then, and I continued to argue with God about my situation. But, if they had not entered my life, I would have ended up on the streets. At a congregational meeting, I heard folks ask what good is it to be a “contact.” I see and hear that the church is not getting it. You sit with me, but I am still just a statistic. I did the extreme to be accepted. These youth have no physical health issues but lack a healthy home environment. They end up on the street, and then “the system” writes them off. We all can be more sensitive to what is going on around us. I had not told my story because folks are afraid to truly see what is going on under the surface. They are afraid to look beyond the street grit and to listen to the kids that “spaing.” Andrew told stories at the congregational meeting that really rocked. It was “Demolition” time in my life. It was now time for me to examine my life. As a result, I now accept where I am at in life. It is through Andrew’s influence that I can move forward. Your spare change helps me to give to others what was given to me. By sitting at Jack in the Box over a cup of coffee and listening, by purchasing simple necessities for these kids, I can do for them what was done for me. I needed emotional support and received it. Like these Youth who need emotional and unconditional love, God placed a couple in my life that changed my life. I was not on the street, but God sent someone. We all could be more like Andrew. Next time you pass a kid from the streets, stop and “see” beyond the street grit, stop and “listen.” Blessings-
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