Dear People of Trinity,
One year ago, when we were forced to cancel indoor worship together, I don’t think any of us would have guessed that we would still be waiting a year later to gather together in praise and prayer. We also did not anticipate how many of our brothers and sisters would become ill, and how many people would pass away during these many months without the opportunity to celebrate their lives in any satisfactory way or commend them in ways that we would have wanted. We take heart in the faith that each loved one who has died, dwells with our Lord Jesus Christ.
Looking ahead, the vaccination rollout is ramping up, and we are hearing from many of our senior members that they are finding ways to get their immunization shots. We hope and pray this continues, so that the time is not too far off when we can all gather safely for all of the activities we have come to love.
In the meantime, I want to encourage you to avail yourselves of the opportunity to either participate in our worship on YouTube, or, if you are able, to join us for one of our three in person worship services on Saturdays at 5:00 p.m. or on Sunday mornings at 8:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. You do not need to reserve a place in advance, and our space is large enough that social distancing is easy.
Our Transition Team is also working to complete the Mission Site Profile and gather the information needed by the Metro New York Synod so that we can enter the call process for a new associate pastor at some point this spring. You will be receiving a survey in the near future and I encourage you to complete it and return it to the church. It is one of the most critical tools the team has for helping the Call Committee discern the skill set, demeanor, etc. of the pastor for Trinity.
These months have been difficult, we’re tired of face coverings, social distancing, and not seeing our church family. Yet we can see better days are coming. I also need to share that one area where Trinity has taken a big hit is in our financial picture. Many of our expenses continue even when we cannot gather. Heat, maintenance, insurance, etc., continue along with personnel expenses. However, most importantly, a return to a normal church routine, and everything we hope to accomplish in the coming months as we come out of the Covid lockdown is somewhat dependent upon our stewardship giving, and it is down substantially. With all of the hardship people are facing, we have been somewhat reluctant to reach out, but the church’s cash reserves are running very low, we have not yet received approval for another PPP loan, and offerings are down. I hope that each of you will do what you can to help. As we come out of lockdown, we want to have the resources we need to fully open up our ministries. The door is open to bring offerings to the church, or mail in, or EGive online. Your support is welcome.
As we are fully in the season of Lent, a season of repentance and preparation, I pray that you are able to have some respite from your daily cares and are able to focus on your physical and spiritual wellbeing. I can’t emphasize enough, the importance of prayer for maintaining a healthy spiritual life. Lent provides an opportunity to focus our energy and devote time to prayer. As we look forward to Holy Week, the Triduum and Easter, plans are in the offing for a sunrise outdoor worship service. More will be shared as the Easter draws closer. In the meantime, pray for good weather.
Finally, please feel free to call me with any need you may have, or if you just want to have a chat. Some folks worry about disturbing me, or that I am too busy, but I want to assure you that I would much rather have conversation with you than be busy.
Many thanks to all of you who continue to support the ministries of this congregation, and to those who have gone above and beyond in being available for the sake of others. Our Nursery school, Friends Kitchen, Trinity Pantry, our Sunday school teachers, youth leaders, worship assistants, Mission Team and administrative staff have striven mightily to keep our ministries vital.
Lenten blessings as we journey to the Great and Holy Week of our salvation.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Peter
One year ago, when we were forced to cancel indoor worship together, I don’t think any of us would have guessed that we would still be waiting a year later to gather together in praise and prayer. We also did not anticipate how many of our brothers and sisters would become ill, and how many people would pass away during these many months without the opportunity to celebrate their lives in any satisfactory way or commend them in ways that we would have wanted. We take heart in the faith that each loved one who has died, dwells with our Lord Jesus Christ.
Looking ahead, the vaccination rollout is ramping up, and we are hearing from many of our senior members that they are finding ways to get their immunization shots. We hope and pray this continues, so that the time is not too far off when we can all gather safely for all of the activities we have come to love.
In the meantime, I want to encourage you to avail yourselves of the opportunity to either participate in our worship on YouTube, or, if you are able, to join us for one of our three in person worship services on Saturdays at 5:00 p.m. or on Sunday mornings at 8:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. You do not need to reserve a place in advance, and our space is large enough that social distancing is easy.
Our Transition Team is also working to complete the Mission Site Profile and gather the information needed by the Metro New York Synod so that we can enter the call process for a new associate pastor at some point this spring. You will be receiving a survey in the near future and I encourage you to complete it and return it to the church. It is one of the most critical tools the team has for helping the Call Committee discern the skill set, demeanor, etc. of the pastor for Trinity.
These months have been difficult, we’re tired of face coverings, social distancing, and not seeing our church family. Yet we can see better days are coming. I also need to share that one area where Trinity has taken a big hit is in our financial picture. Many of our expenses continue even when we cannot gather. Heat, maintenance, insurance, etc., continue along with personnel expenses. However, most importantly, a return to a normal church routine, and everything we hope to accomplish in the coming months as we come out of the Covid lockdown is somewhat dependent upon our stewardship giving, and it is down substantially. With all of the hardship people are facing, we have been somewhat reluctant to reach out, but the church’s cash reserves are running very low, we have not yet received approval for another PPP loan, and offerings are down. I hope that each of you will do what you can to help. As we come out of lockdown, we want to have the resources we need to fully open up our ministries. The door is open to bring offerings to the church, or mail in, or EGive online. Your support is welcome.
As we are fully in the season of Lent, a season of repentance and preparation, I pray that you are able to have some respite from your daily cares and are able to focus on your physical and spiritual wellbeing. I can’t emphasize enough, the importance of prayer for maintaining a healthy spiritual life. Lent provides an opportunity to focus our energy and devote time to prayer. As we look forward to Holy Week, the Triduum and Easter, plans are in the offing for a sunrise outdoor worship service. More will be shared as the Easter draws closer. In the meantime, pray for good weather.
Finally, please feel free to call me with any need you may have, or if you just want to have a chat. Some folks worry about disturbing me, or that I am too busy, but I want to assure you that I would much rather have conversation with you than be busy.
Many thanks to all of you who continue to support the ministries of this congregation, and to those who have gone above and beyond in being available for the sake of others. Our Nursery school, Friends Kitchen, Trinity Pantry, our Sunday school teachers, youth leaders, worship assistants, Mission Team and administrative staff have striven mightily to keep our ministries vital.
Lenten blessings as we journey to the Great and Holy Week of our salvation.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Peter
