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Trinity HandbookTRINITY UNITED HANDBOOK 2007 TABLE OF CONTENTS Church Staff Vision Statement Administrative Committees Council on Ministries Officers and Committee Members Trinity United Physical Address: at the corner of Mailing Address: Church Office (804) 748-2439 E-mail: trinity@trinity-umc.com Pastor: trinityrev@trinity-umc.com Music Director: mspat@trinity-umc.com Web Site: www.trinity-umc.com CHURCH STAFF Pastor ............................................................Rev Cynthia A. Corley H: 804 748-9792 Church Secretary........................................................Carole Kelley H: 804 748-6923 Director of Music...........................................................Pat Madison H: 804 748-4754 Accompanist................................................................Rachel Allyn H: 804 748-0459 Custodian....................................................................Sameoun Por H: 804 743-5542 TRINITY’S VISION STATEMENT We answer God’s call to impact lives for eternity through ministry, mission, and worship. TRINITY’S Our mission is to see that we maintain the friendliness of the small church we once were, and yet strengthen our current and new ministries to help in our congregation’s spiritual growth. We dedicate ourselves to warm and inclusive worship, educational and spiritual growth opportunities for all ages, and an active involvement in answering the cries of God’s children whether near of far. Trinity is a church involved in ministry and mission in the name of Jesus Christ. It offers many opportunities for worshiping God, for growing in faith, and for fellowship. This handbook describes the ministries of Trinity. Hopefully, it will help you find ways to participate, find ways to strengthen your faith, and find ways to reach out to others. As we give ourselves away, we find ourselves and deepen our relationship with God In this handbook, you will find information about the numerous areas of ministry and mission here at Trinity. We have learned that we are made for ministry and we are made for mission. · Look through this handbook and read about the ministries · Think about your response to God in your life, of your gifts, talents, and interests · Visit with persons from the ministry and mission areas that are of interest to you. Visit a meeting of a committee to see if it is for you · Choose a ministry that supports your Christian growth · Choose a ministry that gives to others. · Step out of your comfort zone · Pray about how God wants to use you to accomplish His work in our world · Then step out in faith, and begin your service Call 748-2439 if you have questions. We say that every member of Trinity is a minister. By that, we mean that each of us is called to some function in the body of Christ, that each of us has a part in the ministry here. Only you can fill the place that you have. Only you have your particular combination of Spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences, as in the following: · Spiritual gifts –God gave each of us at least one special ability called a Spiritual gift when you began following Him. He gave you this gift to help build up the church family and reach out to the world with Christ’s love · Heart – God gave you a unique passion for particular activities, subjects, and circumstances. He gave you a Heart for the things you feel deeply about to help define how and where He wants you to serve Him · Abilities – you have abilities given to you that God can use in specific ways to assist you in your ministry · Personality – God needs a personality in ministry that’s exactly like yours! He wants to use you whether you’re an extrovert or an introvert; whether you enjoy routine or variety · Experiences – You have had many varied experiences, all of which God uses to help mold you for ministry ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE The overall governing body of Trinity is the Charge Conference, which meets annually in the Fall. This body elects church officers, adopts a budget and sets the ministry goals for each year. The Administrative Board, elected by the Charge Conference, oversees the work of the church between meetings of the Charge Conference. It meets on the third Thursday of odd-numbered months. It is primarily concerned with administrative issues, while the Council on Ministries plans, executes, and oversees the ministries and mission of the church. To effectively carry out the work of the Board and the Council, the following Administrative Committees and Program Teams have been established. ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEES Board of Trustees The Board of Trustees serves as the legal representative of the church. Board members are registered with the Clerk of the Court, and speak for the church in all legal matters, such as those relating to deeds, contracts, and loans. The Board of Trustees meets in January for organizational purposes and then on call as needed. The Board is made up of nine members, elected by the Charge Conference in three-year classes. Members may be nominated for election to the Board by the Lay Leadership Committee, or from the floor at Charge Conference. The Board of Trustees is responsible for:
Ways to help include: Legal assistance or advice, expertise in county government practices and procedures, advice in construction or maintenance Related to the Trustees is the Building and Grounds Committee. This committee’s responsibility is to maintain the church’s building and grounds in good order. They meet as needed to make regular inspections of the property and identify needed repairs and improvements, ensuring the proper functioning and upkeep of church equipment and buildings, and the outside grounds and plants. Volunteers are always needed for all kinds of projects. A list of projects is found on the table in the hallway by the mailboxes. If you are handy with your tools or a paintbrush or have a green thumb, then this is the job area for you. Buildings and Grounds: Jeff Harrison (426-9782) Bill Shields (790-1732) Committee on Lay Leadership This group is charged with managing the volunteer resources of the congregation. It seeks to match the skills, gifts, and talents of persons within the congregation with the administrative and program needs of the church. The committee is chaired by the pastor. Members must be nominated from the floor of the Charge Conference and are elected to serve in three-year classes. This committee usually meets in the fall, prior to Charge Conference, or on call if a mid-year nomination needs to be made. Major areas of responsibility include:
Finance Committee The Finance Committee is charged with the oversight of the church’s financial affairs and resources. Members of the committee include the chairperson, the church treasurer, the financial secretary, the lay member of Annual Conference, a representative from the Council on Ministries, the stewardship chairperson, and a representative from the trustees. There is no limit to the number of persons who can serve as at-large members. The Finance Committee is responsible for:
Ways to help include: Expertise in any financial avenue, being an offering teller, assisting with the various reports, including the financial statements and the annual audit Staff-Parish Relations Committee The Staff-Parish Relations Committee serves as the support system for the church’s professional staff, and as a liaison between the staff and the congregation to ensure open lines of communication. It is made up of not more than nine members, elected in three-year classes, and the Lay Member of Annual Conference. Major areas of responsibility include:
COUNCIL ON MINISTRIES The Council on Ministries is made up of the chairpersons or a representative from each program committee. Its purpose is to generate, coordinate, and help implement ministries and programs of the church, particularly in concert with the church’s long-term plans. It meets bi-monthly on even-numbered months at Historian: Bill Kinsley Trinity has a rich history dating from 1889 of reaching out and ministering to the needs of this northern Communications The Communications committee works to grow the membership of Trinity. By helping to grow our church, the committee enhances our community here in The major areas of responsibility include:
Education Committee The Education committee is responsible for planning, establishing, and overseeing all aspects of the church’s educational ministry. Christian education provides the guidance and inspiration to know and experience God through Jesus Christ, to claim and live God’s promises, and to grow and serve as Christian disciples. Members of the committee include Sunday School teachers, Sunday School Superintendent, persons of different age levels, and others who are interested in our educational ministry. All age groups are served by proclaiming the Gospel through Sunday School teachings, 2 Timothy 3:16 – “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Trinity is very intentional about its educational ministry for all ages – toddlers, preschoolers, elementary children, youth, and adults. Sunday School is one of the most important opportunities for each person to grow in their faith. Major areas of responsibility include:
Classes available: Nursery – infant through 2 years Preschool – ages 3-4 Grades K&1 Grades 2 & 3 Grades 4 & 5 Junior High – grades 6, 7 & 8 Senior High – grades 9 – 12 Good News Class – discusses different books on themes, such as Discipleship. Teacher is Heidi Foutz Sojourners Class – a Bible discussion class with a variety of facilitators Fellowship Class – studies various books, such as Companions In Christ and Journey Through the Bible. Is a discussion class, facilitator is Paul Brown Faith Class – studies the International Lesson Series Adult Bible Studies, which focuses on books of the Bible and explores ways to understand the Biblical message and apply it to everyday life. Teachers are on a rotational basis. Ways to help include: Sunday School teachers during the school year Sunday School assistants during the school year Substitute teachers Nursery volunteers Church Library – Librarian Barbara Smith Location: on the Library Cart in the narthex on Sunday mornings. Borrow, read, and return books, instructions are on the cart. Write a short book report about what you read and we’ll put it in the newsletter, letting others know what you found valuable about the book. You can help by contacting Barbara at 748-4475. Bible Studies Tuesday mornings at The Alpha Course – a new and non-threatening class, a kind of “Faith 101”. It is a 10 week course where a small group comes together to share a meal and to learn about the word of God and its application to life. Long Term Studies include Disciple I, II, III, IV and Christian Believer. These are each approximately 34 weeks for a 2 hour session per week. Held when there are enough persons for a class (minimum of 8), so let the pastor know if you are interested! School for Spiritual Growth – this is an opportunity to hear special speakers and teachers for a few hours or a few days of focused, quality study on spiritual issues. Our main speaker to date has been Dr Charles Page (Biblical Archaeologist). Other speakers will be forthcoming, suggestions for other speakers are welcome. Evangelism Committee The Evangelism committee has the task of sharing Jesus Christ by making the community aware of our church and its ministries. They also create opportunities for newcomers to feel welcome and become a part of our congregation. Persons are needed to help create ideas for outreach. Major areas of responsibility include:
Family Ministries Fellowship is important in establishing our Christian community of faith. This committee creates opportunities for gathering in fellowship, particularly around meals. It also encourages gatherings of other types, as in movies or local sports events. Major areas of responsibility include:
Ways to help include: Assisting with the set-up, take down, and restoring to original condition rooms and hallways affected by fellowship events Sharing ideas or possible community events of interest with the committee Higher Education Committee The Higher Education committee is responsible for recognizing all Trinity members and/or friends who graduate from institutes of learning, beginning with high school. In keeping with the teachings of Jesus, we show our students that we care about them, we love them, we are proud of them and we continue to be interested in their lives. Major areas of responsibility include:
Ways to help include: Making sure that the church has the appropriate college addresses for our students Relating not only colleges attending, but also schools that our members may have graduated from Member Care Committee The area of concern for this committee is the vitality and well-being of those who are members or constituents of our congregation, providing for their nurture and serving their needs. Our intent is that all persons feel they are valued and appreciated by their church family. Committee members are organized into teams to respond to various situations within the congregation, including illness, hospitalization, caregivers, funerals, weddings, births, job loss, and other crisis situations, persons with special needs, as well as active duty military and their families. Major areas of responsibility include:
Ways to help include: Volunteering to head or to be on one of our Care Response Teams who reach out when there is a need. Contact Carol Sanders 796-1174. PRAYER CHAIN REQUESTS: Phone – Amelia Nicholson 748-5644 or church office 748-2439 e-mail – David Bailey Missions Committee This committee plans, coordinates, and oversees the outreach ministries of the church, locally, nationally, and world-wide, which have the aim of reaching out with God’s love by alleviating suffering, promoting the quality of life among all God’s children, and telling others about God. All believers, whether laity or clergy, have the duty and privilege of participating in God’s mission. The Missions committee helps members of the Trinity UMC family to look beyond the church building to local and global communities in need. By identifying and ministering to the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs in such communities, believers share God’s love and plan of salvation. Through our mission programs, we feed the hungry, comfort the sick, visit the lonely, and reach out and help victims of poverty and disaster. Whether feeding the poor, repairing houses, or providing financial support to Methodist missionaries abroad, believers who participate in missions are putting their faith into action, thereby answering the call of Christ to follow Him. Major areas of responsibility include: · Financially supporting and educating the congregation to the world-wide mission of the · Providing a representative to the Petersburg District Board of Missions · Coordinating volunteers for such ministries as CCHASM, Family Services, Thanksgiving baskets, Christmas Mother, requests for school supplies, Sherbourne UMC’s food pantry and our Community outreach feeding program there, Meals on Wheels, hosting the homeless through CARITAS, and others · Supporting District and Conference missions through donations of time, talents, money and goods. · Supporting mission teams, both, youth and adult, to various parts of the country, including, but not limited to Ways to help include: Volunteering to help with any area of our many projects, including CARITAS, Sherbourne, Thanksgiving Baskets, school supplies, Family Services, mission teams, and any other requests for help that you might hear in the newsletter, bulletin, or in church The offering taken at the communion rail is used for local hunger relief. Donations to the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund provide grocery cards, gasoline cards, help with heating and other emergency needs as persons stop by the church seeking assistance from the Pastor. We are always looking fro ways to reach out in ministry and service with new outreach and mission programs of interest to our members. Do you have a particular area of interest? Passion and love for those in need is what Jesus taught us. If you have a suggestion, contact Stan and Marie Russo 748-7422. Stewardship Committee We are all called to be good stewards of God’s gifts. The Stewardship Committee works to interpret how each of us may use our prayers, our presence, our gifts, and our service in support of the ministries of the church. By developing the means by which persons can identify the unique gifts God has given them, and by helping to match individual interests to specific ministries, the Stewardship committee seeks to help us all lead more faithful lives. The concept of stewardship values is an important foundation for our beliefs as Christians and Trinity’s sponsorship of Mission Programs. The soul of our church is reflected by the faith, energy, and gifts of its church family. Stewardship is the management of God’s household. Stewardship is also the way we manage our entire lives: our gifts and talents, our resources and treasures, our time and energy. Major areas of responsibility include:
Worship Committee Worship is at the very heart of all we do as the church. The Worship Committee works with the pastor and the Director of Music to plan and carry out all worship services. The Worship Committee helps to provide an environment where all persons can worship, which includes various styles of music, different service structures, guest speakers, and a wide variety of programs, in an attempt to meet the worship needs of the congregation, no matter what their age. Major areas of responsibility include:
Ways to Assist during the Worship Services: Acolytes Acolytes are children or youth from 3d grade and up who light candles before the service, open the Bible, help accept the offering, and extinguish the candles at the close of the service. Acolytes need to be ready 10 minutes prior to the service. The Acolyte coordinator is Janet Collins Acolyte Coordinator The Acolyte Coordinator trains the children and youth who serve as acolytes. The coordinator occasionally holds training sessions and offers helpful acolyte manuals. The coordinator provides a frequent presence on Sunday morning to assist them. Ushers (Senior High Youth may be ushers) Coordinators: Ushers are needed every Sunday! Plan to spend 20 minutes before to prepare and 20 minutes afterwards to straighten up. Ushers hand out bulletins, lead people to their seats as needed, collect the offering, assist with leading the congregation to communion, assist people with questions as they are entering or leaving the sanctuary, are available in the narthex during the service to provide assistance. Ushers also gather the attendance sheets to give to the pastor. The Usher Coordinator provides a schedule indicating the Sundays individual ushers will serve. Not difficult and very rewarding, but requires commitment to attend or find a replacement if you are not able to serve on your date. Worship Chairperson This person fulfills many “behind the scenes” duties for our worship services, as well as being the chairperson when the worship committee meets.
Communion Steward These persons set up bread and juice for communion. Traditionally, we have intinction at the early service, which requires a chalice and pita bread. We have communion with cubed bread and communion cups at the MUSIC MINISTRY The music ministry at Trinity welcomes singers and musicians at any time of the year. No program requires an audition. For details on our music ministries, contact Pat Madison 748-4754. Choirs (children and youth) All children from age 3 through grade 12 are invited to be a part of our music program. The cherub choir, ages 3 through 5, meets on Wednesday evenings at Adult volunteers are needed to help with the snack, with crafts, and with the music. Trinity Angels are in grades 1-3 and meet on Wednesdays at First through fifth graders are part of our Treble Clefs choir, which meets on Sunday evenings at Adult volunteers are needed to help with directing, stage props and scenery, costumes, and in other ways. The Odyssey choir is for our sixth through 12th graders. The youth participate in the Thanksgiving dinner play and in Youth Sunday. In recent years they have presented both “Godspell” and “Honk”. They also participate in worship periodically during the year and take advantage of local choir events, such as “Youth Jam” in the fall. Several of our youth participate in our contemporary praise and worship group, “The Sparrows”. Adult volunteers are needed to help with directing, stage props and scenery, costumes, and as accompanists. Choirs (Adult) The adult choir practices on Wednesday evenings at “The Sparrows” is Trinity’s contemporary praise band. It consists of singers, guitarists, a pianist as well as a drummer and plays at the * Chimers – a choir for 2-5th grade, this choir plays occasionally in worship services. It gives children the opportunity to learn how to read music and to gain confidence in their abilities. * Youth * Adult Instrumentalists are desired to occasionally accompany choral selections or to play solos or in ensembles during the worship services. Please talk with the Director of Music or come to one of our practices if you are interested. United Methodist Women Trinity’s United Methodist women plan and implement fellowship, mission, and educational programs which are of interest to and will be of help to women. The UMW maintains a relationship to the general, conference, and district United Methodist Women, informing the women of programs and events of interest to them. We contribute funds and service to many mission projects locally, within the district, and internationally. Projects like the Fall Bazaar and Pumpkin Patch are fund-raisers for mission projects and provide interaction with the community, giving us a chance to spread the word of our faith and of our church activities. Trinity’s UMW meets the second Thursday of the month at All women are invited to participate. Major areas of responsibility include:
United Methodist Men The mission of the United Methodist Men is to build men spiritually and involve them in the total ministry of the church. The UMM model the servanthood of Jesus Christ through programs such as serving breakfast after the Easter Sunrise services and other meals during the year, by working with our Boy Scouts of America troop and Cub Scout dens as well as other youth programs, and by working for missions through the annual Pumpkin Patch fund-raiser and the preparation and sale of Brunswick Stew. The UMM encourages programs to increase participation in prayer, stewardship, and discipleship. It promotes a better understanding of the organization doctrines and beliefs of the Major areas of responsibility include:
Ways to help include: Volunteering in any way during the Pumpkin Patch which is the UMM’s primary fund raiser during the year Coming to UMM meetings to hear about projects to determine where you can plug in Children’s Ministries “Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6, NIV This is the mission of the Children’s Coordinator, to give our children a good foundation for life by teaching them about God, His love for us and the way He wants us to live. Our Children’s fellowship and Cherub choir groups help toward this goal – a little learning mixed with fun, fellowship and service. The children become involved with church mission projects, such as making placemats for CARITAS, or some of their own like Operation Christmas Child or UNICEF. There are activities planned each year which reach some of the children who do not attend on a regular basis. We want our children to know they are an important part of our church family. It is our intent that by getting them involved at a young age, they will continue as they get older, and that the foundation we give them will help them through the tough times throughout their lives. Major areas of responsibility include:
Ways to assist the Children’s Ministries include (but are not limited to) volunteering in the nursery, teaching or co-teaching a Sunday school class, being a substitute, helping with Children’s fellowship by creating a program for an evening, games, crafts, or just by “being there”. Contact Janet Collins 271-9740 for Children’s Fellowship and Mari Hayes 796-1885 for Sunday School. Youth Ministries Trinity is very committed to providing a quality program for youth, from sixth grade through high school. UMYF (United Methodist Youth Fellowship) is an opportunity for youth to build friendships with one another as they strengthen their relationship with Christ in a safe and comfortable setting. Both the Junior and Senior High UMYF groups enjoy a night of fun, games, food, social interaction with peers, community service projects, devotions, and topic discussions. They meet on Sunday afternoons at Our Junior High UMYF group strives to nurture youth in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades in their personal and spiritual growth through lessons, games, retreats, projects, fun and fellowship. It is yet another learning experience to enrich and foster spiritual growth in our youth. Our Senior High UMYF group strives to nurture youth in 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades in much the same way. Major areas of responsibility include:
Ways to help include: Being a leader for either junior or senior high youth group, a carpool volunteer, occasionally bringing a program or other event to the attention of the youth leaders, helping with the meal / snack for Sunday meetings Junior High youth group leaders – Mari Hayes 796-1885 and Doug Smith 748-4475 Senior High youth group leaders – Cindy |
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