Last month you said goodbye to a beloved pastor. Through good times and crises, he had been with you to help shine the light of God’s grace into your lives. It was supportive, and helpful. No wonder you loved him! It is appropriate.

Now God has led him to a new setting, and you remain here but with a sense of loss. How does the congregation go on–even with its loss and grief? What should you do now? Who would be best to help lead and guide?

First of all, we remember that a change in pastors does not mean that God has abandoned us. You have experienced this before. You have had other beloved pastors. You have missed them and grieved their loss. Always, God has provided you with someone else to be with you, to be God’s instrument to walk with you through the next phase of your journey through life.

For the time being you have asked me to walk with you through the processes of looking at your own needs and mission, looking at how these things might impact the kind of pastor you might wish to lead you. You have also asked that I provide you with pastoral care until your next pastor arrives.

You don’t know me. Oh, yes, in the last newsletter I did supply a bit of information that briefly described my life. But, that only describes a bit of the outside of me. Can you trust me? Will I be the same kind of caring person Pastor Don was?

Pastors are all different. We do not have the same gifts and abilities. (Please remember that as you call a new pastor!) Whether you will find me able to be the same kind of caring person as Pastor Don can only be found out as we live and work together.

For my part, I will pledge to do my best to provide the pastoral care and leadership you need. In order for me to do that, I have a few requests.

First of all, all the pastors I know–myself included–do not posses particular divine powers of foreknowledge or clairvoyance. If you would like to have a conversation with me because of some situation in your life, or, if you would like me to visit because you are struggling with illness in a hospital, I will gladly respond as quickly as possible and do what I can. However, unless you tell me, I will not know that you have any needs!

Please feel free to call either my office number (206-937-6590), or my home. I will not necessarily be at either location, but you can leave a message at either number.

Another thing to do is to call Stacy at the Trinity office (206-324-1066). Stacy will know how to get in contact with me, or whether I’m out of town at a conference, and she can put you in contact with one of the Deacons.

Also, a congregation is a portion of the body of Christ. The parts of a body work together. Eyes see what needs to be done. Hands bandage and care for wounds, etc. In times of struggle and anguish, you pray for one another. You have a Prayer List to help you do that. Do one thing more. Make sure that the people for whom you pray are also reported to Stacy so that the whole church can surround them in prayer. And, Stacy can contact me so I can lend my support and aid.

For a time we will walk together. Always covered by the grace of God.

Pastor Paul

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Thank You!
Dear Trinity Family,

Thank you so much for your kind words and gifts as we departed for California. We have no words to describe our gratitude for the past 13 years. We will treasure you all, and the life and ministry of Trinity Lutheran Church, for the rest of our lives. Please come visit us in the Redwoods! You can see where “The Squirrel” occupies a place of honor! Thank you again so very much.

~ Pastor Don and Lois

***

In Appreciation . . .

Lena and Gordon Meeske wish to thank the Trinity Lutheran Church members for all their prayers, letters, telephone messages, good wishes and visitations to the Mission Health Center at the time of our unfortunate accident.

***

A big thanks to the Sunday School class for mowing the lawn this summer.   We left August and September open, and Helen and Paul have been good enough to sign up again.  There are still a few dates open for this summer/fall. Please consider signing up.  Remember, the chart is on the wall next to the coffee hour sign up.  (I noticed coffee hour also needs hosts; so, if mowing grass is not your thing, think about taking a Sunday and host the coffee hour).

Also thanks to Roy Lehner, who’s a bit too big to be a part of the Sunday School class, but not too big to pop down and fill in the gaps for mowing as needed.  It is appreciated.  Again, thanks to all.

~ Property Committee

Over 50? Your Pipes Might be Rusting Too!
OK, maybe not, but we are starting to notice a couple of self sealing leaks in the church’s plumbing.   We’ll need to get that taken care of; so, we ask the following:

If you know a good plumber who would be willing to take a look and perhaps bid on the work, giving us his/her name would be appreciated.  Contact Joan, Mark or Ruth (a majority of your Property Committee).

Prayerfully consider planning to help us raise some money for this project. 

We’ll keep you apprised of the situation. No flooding in the basement yet, but we want to be a bit proactive and make sure that doesn’t occur. 

Choir Resumes
The Trinity Choir will begin for the year on September 23 after the fellowship hour.  We will run through a few pieces, go over the singing schedule through the end of the year, and talk about rehearsal times.  We’ll do easy pieces that are mostly 2 parts.  If you have questions, please talk to Nancy at church or email her.

Church Picnic—Save the Date!
We have tentative plans for a church picnic at Valley Camp on September 16. Stay tuned for details!

Knitting Night
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume” (Matthew 6:19).  Yikes!  Did someone say moths?  Better start using up that yarn stash, and what better way to do that than with a group of Trinity & Chapel yarn lovers? 

Bring your yarn, needles, hooks, and more, and join the fun and fellowship on Monday, September 10, 2007. Watch your bulletins for more details. No RSVP needed.  And, if you've always wanted to try a yarn craft and just have trouble getting started, come along… someone in the group will be happy to get you started.  Questions?  Contact Joanne Matson.

Nanny Needed
We are looking for a nanny Tuesday-Friday mornings between 7:00 am and 1:00 pm.  Hours are somewhat flexible, but main help is needed in the morning.  We are interested if you can help with any or all mornings, Tuesday-Friday.

Location: Lake Forest Park.  One 10-month-old boy. 

Please let us know if you are interested or know someone who is. 

Thank you, 
Allison & Bob Stotler

From the Call Committee
The pastoral call questionnaires need to be completed and returned now. This information is sent to District for their guidance in selecting pastors for our consideration for a call. If you need a form, they are available in the narthex.

The Deacons (Call Committee) will meet September 12 to prepare information to submit to District. Please contact Esther Reese or any deacon if you have questions in regard to this process.

Church Officers
In our July congregational meeting, Lee Falck and Louise Torseth were elected to the Board of Directors to replace Ruth Patterson and Laurie Lootens Chyz. Laurie was then elected to continue on the board through the call process.

Karl Brunner and Bob Heckel were re-elected to the Board of Deacons. Mark Meyer was elected as a new member of the Board of Deacons.

The Board of Directors now includes Lee Falck, Andrew Schatz, Cheryl Krogh, Esther Reese, Louise Torseth, Ron Newton, and Chris Bartels (from the chapel), with Laurie Lootens Chyz on a temporary basis. The Board needs to appoint a replacement for Bill Manahan.

Karl Brunner, Jim (Mike) Courtney, Bob Heckel, Tim Klick, Leroy Lehner, Mark Meyer, Megan Bernhardt, and Esther Reese are all members of the Board of Deacons.

Editor’s Note
Thank you to Bob and Sharon Heckel for providing the “Church Signs” artwork you see throughout this newsletter! We love all kinds of contributions to the newsletter; so, please don’t hesitate to send in your news, funny stories, artwork, comics, pictures, notices and the like.

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Trivent Builds/Habitat for Humantiy
As the old cliché goes, the third time's a charm. After two postponements, this year's ThriventBuilds with Habitat for Humanity project has finally gotten the green light.Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 1. The caring members of Trinity and Queen Anne Lutheran will work together to help improve the lives of another family in our community.This year's build site is located in Tukwila at 12226 43rd Ave S. (See below for driving instructions.) We'll start working at 9:00 am. Don't be concerned with any experience or instruction you may be lacking in the area of construction; all tools and training will be provided.

Since I (Chris Sherman) have been involved in these projects, it continues to surprise me what knowledge I take home from the day. Remember, all volunteers should be at least 16 years of age and bring their own lunch. Work gloves are good to bring as well.

For your convenience, a carpool will leave the Trinity parking lot for the build site at 8:30 am.

If you have questions, please contact Chris Sherman or Lee Falck.

Looking forward to seeing you. Thank you for your continuing support and prayers for this local ministry.

Driving from I-5:
Take Exit 156, Interurban Avenue exit toward Tukwila2. 
Turn Right on Interurban Ave S3. 
Soft Right onto 42nd Ave S4. 
Turn Right onto S 124th Street5. 
Turn Left onto 43rd Ave S

Federal Ave Block Party
Sunday, September 9, 2-7 pm … Join our neighborhood community for food, fun and music. This time is a great chance for us to meet our neighbors and build new relationships.

Capitol Hill Cleanup
The cleanup has been postponed

Calling all Golfers!!
Please join us for the first sponsored golf tournament held for Concordia. It is a chance to join others in fellowship and fun.

Date: September 14, 2007
Time: 7:00 am
Registration: 8:00 am
Shot Gun Start
Lunch included
Please register by September 7, 2007.  We hope to see you there!

Save the Date!
Get out your calendar and circle Saturday, October 27. Lutheran Community Services Northwest will be hosting its Annual Fall Banquet at the DoubleTree Hotel in SeaTac. We’d love to see you there. For information and reservations, contact Shawn Corkery at 206-694-5705 or email scorkery@lcsnw.org.

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Community News

Let me begin with the Seattle Housing Upgrade. We all can call a plumber. Yet, the plumbing upgrade was months of constant noise. We ought to be Thankful that we have a place to sleep with running water. But, some of us cannot deal with changes. Pets have issues also. We love our pets. Finally, someone made the decision we were to be placed in a hotel paid with a debit card. It was a brainstorm idea, but I found a lot of people who did not understand. All the stress. I had a brilliant idea. There is a Youth Hostel in Seattle. A Youth Hostel!

I have been worried about the sketchiness of touring 1st and Pike at night. The last time I really spent time there was when the location had a drug haven coffee house. I waited for a bus in that spot. Then, I attended an uncertified Bible School. It was required to share about Jesus. I then, as now, saw no point to it on a Friday Night. As a result, I did not pass.

Here I am, Lord. Is this the job occupation you want from me in 2007?

Sure, my idea may not be smart. But, I had no offer to stay with anyone. And, I had the perfect chance to see the City as I never had. To use all I had learned of the occupation. I also know enough to be STREET SMART. The years I spent in San Fran without Tours taught me much. I do not walk home with someone at night. I learned of the city and the shadows that lurk.

I come home at night. While near 1st and Pike, I met someone I knew. This person starts chatting. Really wants to know why I am in the neighborhood. Gives me a heads up of how to be careful. Does not believe me totally. He continues to show me a baby picture. Wants chocolate milk as we stand on 2nd and Pike. We find a convenience store. He asks if they take a FOOD CARD, an amount given on a debit card each month. I pull out my ATM card. He takes my food card and tells me they use food card. Walks me to the Green Tortoise to be sure I am truly living there.

I am in for the night. Folks are up all night. Drinking and poker. I crash; I give thought to how good I have it. Understood deep how most cannot live without plastic. More so those that get a government substance check yet live for the bottle or chemical substance. Or have lost a part of themselves and end up on the street. I can pay rent. I can make a meal. I hit the asphalt with the Call. I am not able to have a job that gives me the wants we ALL enjoy. Those I meet are getting by. I count the blessings of how real the call is. I can share with you how things could be. This was an alternative way to see our neighbors outside the books I read that quarter at the uncertified Bible School. Or, outside the years of being on government assistance. To check out the free stuff in the city. Like sitting on Alki, watching the ferries. Or, the weather from Baugh House. Sitting in our new library.

I saw a whole new perspective on a real gift that I had not understood.

Sharing with those who may not know little things such as taking transit.

Or, where to go for a meal. Or, where to bathe. In The New York Times I read about the lack of bathrooms in one city. I can tell you where.

This short time made me understand that being on Government Assistance is not charity. I have things I can share. God had a purpose. I see it as a gift. We are all given a talent. It’s what we do with it.

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Rembrandt, the 17th century Dutch painter, incorporated chiaroscuro shading to bring light onto the subjects of his canvas.

If you’ve joined us for Bible Study at Trinity the past few Sundays, you’ll know we’ve been exploring Rembrandt’s depictions of biblical stories. It’s amazing how we can have a whole discussion on what Rembrandt brings light to. This piece of his is Abraham’s Sacrifice. What I find most interesting is how bright and pale Isaac’s chest is … exposed, bare. And, I can’t help but think about how Christ exposed himself to humanity. He laid bare his life as a ransom for all the world.

It reminds me of how we, too, are exposed by God’s light.

“But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: ‘Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’” - Ephesians 5:13-14

It can be humiliating to be seen and to be vulnerable. And yet, Jesus does not expose us to be shamed, but to be set free. To be totally known and still loved. That’s how we can rise from death. We no longer can hide in the shadows, nor do we need to. Christ’s light is life.

Fall Cleaning Festival: September 15 …
If you can lend a hand, we can certainly use ‘em. We’re doing a lot of work around the Chapel to get ready for this next year at the UDub.

Open House: September 23 thru September 30 …
We’re opening up our doors at the beginning of the quarter to invite students to check out the Chapel. We could use some volunteers for this event as well (i.e. monitoring the building, welcoming new students, and handing out water).

Bible Study: Begins Tuesday, September 25 …
It’s a battle of the sexes as we explore the good, the bad and the ugly of Biblical relationships and how we relate to them.

HALO 3 Release Party: Wednesday, September 26 …
For those that care, we’ll gather around 62” of high definition goodness and digital surround sound as we see the new world of HALO 3. Pizza and caffeine is available as long as you can stand it.

Habitat Build: Saturday, September 29 …
Grab your gloves and work clothes and get ready to sweat. We’ll be stepping forward as a community to do our part in building a home with Thrivent.

Drum Circle: Sunday, September 30, at 4 pm …
Get ready to make some noise in the neighborhood. We’re gathering drums from all over the world to announce the new school year at the Chapel. No Rhythm required.

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Meyer Minutes
"It is a process!” Everything in this world is a process. It is important for all of us to understand that we are put here as part of the process. This holds true in all that we do, our parenting, our work, our relationships, and our faith. I believe that God has placed us all in this place at this time to take part in this process. I invite you to take part with everyone in this community at Concordia to bind together.

The first step in this walk together is to bind together. This step means, to me, that we must unite and become strong together. With so many changes happening physically and with our program, it can become overwhelming unless we bind together and stay supportive of each other and the ministry.Matthew 18:18 states “Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”

In Him,
Dave

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Save the Date - Reunion Weekend ‘07
Alumni and friends are invited to gather at Concordia University’s 2007 reunion on October 12-14. Mark your calendar for a weekend of reminiscence and mingling. For more information or to volunteer to help get the word out, email us at alumni@cu-portland.edu.

Preview Weekend Nov. 30 - Dec. 1
High school juniors and seniors can explore how learning in the Concordia University community will prepare them for a life and a living. Call 503-280-8501or 800-321-9371 to reserve your spot.

Christi Crux Reformation Lectures Oct. 26-28
Concordia University and Zion Lutheran Church present the third annual Christi Crux Reformation Lectures on October 26-28. Join noted theologian Paul Maier, Ph.D. as he explores current cultural perceptions of Christ.

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Interested in becoming a foster parent?
Lutheran Community Services Foster Care programs provide foster care for young children 0-9 years old and refugee and immigrant children of all ages. Are you interested in learning more about becoming a foster care parent? For additional information, call 206-694-5713.

Burmese Refugee Youth
LCS invites you to consider making a difference in a Burmese child’s life without having to leave your home! We are looking for people interested in being personally involved with refugee youth from Burma who will arrive to the US without a family. The youth are placed in foster families who receive casework support, a monthly stipend to cover the child’s expenses and a medical coupon for the child. For more information on becoming a foster parent or tutor, please call 206-694-5755.

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