The Chimes
June 2020
Trinity United Methodist Church 75 East High Street, Mount Gilead, Ohio 43338
Regular Church office hours will resume June 1st: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 3:30 pm
(Closed for lunch from 12:00-12:30 p.m.)
Reflecting on the last two plus months during which we have not had worship in church because of the virus, allow me to share a few thoughts.
First, I cannot recall such a time in all of my 30 plus years of ministry. I was out of the pulpit for a little over two months the beginning of 2003 when I took a sabbatical. But of course, during the last few weeks I have shared a video message and I have to say that I have grown from the experience. I have become less dependent on a written-out manuscript which has been the form of most of my sermons since way back in the early 90’s when I got my first computer. I look forward to being back in the pulpit soon, the first Sunday in June.
Second, I think of all the ways that we have been “fasting”. By that I mean we have been going without different things from baseball, other sports, malls, restaurants, (except takeout), going to movies, even the hairdresser. And in the Methodist Church we have had no General, District or Annual Conferences. Things are now coming back, businesses, restaurants, etc. Conferences have been rescheduled.
So, third, as we get back to life as more normal, I know I will be appreciating more than ever what is called and considered normal. Of course, there will be a transitioning period with continued social distancing and other common-sense precautions. But I know that when we are back in church as a congregation it will seem almost surreal. And I’m looking forward to going to a restaurant and sitting down to a meal. It’s probably the big thing that we miss in spending time with my parents.
Lastly, thinking of a past video message, the one on prayer: A-C-T-S, as we continue to social distance as we live ourselves back to normal, let us appreciate the fact that God does not distance himself from us. And so, let us draw near to Him in
prayer and appreciate in new ways all God’s blessings. Down the road we will be able to see
the good things that will come out of all the troubling times of the pandemic and we trust God’s sovereign hand for the struggles of these times to prepare us for all that lies ahead.
God Bless,
Pastor Jeff
Resuming Worship – as we look forward to being able to worship together again, we will need to make some changes so that we can keep each other safe. Here is what we know at this time will be changing:
1. Both the 8:30 and 10:30 worship services will be held in the sanctuary to allow for better social distancing.
2. An offering plate will be placed somewhere when you enter the sanctuary. Please place your offering in that plate. (This will help keep us from spreading germs.)
3. The hymnals will be removed from the pews. You are encouraged to use the screens. If you need to use a hymnal during worship, there will be a pile in the back of the church for you to get a hymnal. Please leave the hymnal in the pew at the conclusion of the service so they can be cleaned.
4. Bulletins will be in a stack somewhere as you enter the sanctuary. Please take one.
If you feel you will be at risk to attend church in person, please do not feel like you must attend in person.
If you are not feeling well, please do not come to church. Stay home, get well and keep the rest of the congregation safe. We will not think less of anyone who wishes to stay home in an effort to be safe.
We will continue to tape the sermons and put them on the internet each week. We will also look into the possibility of livestreaming the sermons each week.
PRAYER CONCERNS Trinity members and friends
who have been in our
prayers the past month…..
New Prayer Concerns: Bob Fritz, baby Charlotte, Lis Boehm, Mary Enos, Steve Levering, Will Keil
Ongoing Prayer: Barb Brewer, Barb Detwiler, Rev. Beth Mansperger, Bill Brucker, Deb Dupilka, Doris Hildebrand, Doug Van Horn, Ele Thompson, Gale Graham, Glen Lamoreaux, Jerry Hand, Jim Brucker, Merrill Brucker, Pat Tolbert, Phyllis Bell, Roger Anotlik, Sherry Seckel, Steve Dabney, Tom Rocks, Mark Sterritt, Unspoken Request. Civilians serving overseas.
Military: Curt Belohlavek, Emily Garry-Kearnely, Eric Mann, Jonah Maggs, Kelly Mann-Sorgenfrei, Jon Tschudi, Travis Hill, Troy Hill, Tyler Hill, & all other military personnel around the world
Nursing Home Residents & Shut-Ins: Alice Foley, Carlotta Blair, Martha Kubbs, Nettie Lyon, Mary Dianne George
Missionaries: Gordon & Ardell Graner [Dominican Republic], Matthew Laferty [Austria]
Our Trinity Family wishes to extend prayers to the following families in the loss of a loved one this past month: Charlotte Geyer
TRINITY ATTENDANCE
DATE
SUNDAY
SCHOOL
8:30
AM
10:30
AM
TOTAL
05/03/2020 No
worship
05/10/2020 No
worship
05/17/2020 No
worship
05/24/2020 No
worship
05/31/2020 No
worship
JUNE COMMITTEE MEETINGS…
Trustees: Tuesday, 6/2 7:00 pm Ad Council: Wednesday, 6/3 7:00 pm Missions: Tuesday, 6/9 7:00 pm
TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY AT SAMES & COOK
During this time of stress, self-isolation, self-distancing, masks and closures; this pandemic has made it difficult to meet in fellowship and to study the word of God. Until the Governor allows groups to meet again, we will continue to self-distance until then. When we do get the all clear, it may also be wise to meet at the church for a month or so until we know it is safe again to return to Sames and Cook.
We are looking at July 7th to be our first time back together and we'll meet in the CIC Room at the church. This will happen only if the Governor allows groups to meet. WE can still maintain distance if need be. Stay safe, stay healthy, God Bless.
Sewing Day – We are planning to resume the monthly Sewing Days beginning on Wednesday, June 10th from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Dear Trinity Church Family,
I want you all to know how much I have appreciated your love and support that
you have shown me my whole life. As I start my new journey as a pulpit supply preacher, and seminarian, I want you all to know that you have helped nurture me and helped me mature in my faith. I put this calling off for a while, mostly because I wasn’t ready to move on from Trinity, but I know you’ll all continue to love me, pray for me, and support me. You will always be my family. With love, ~ Amy Barr
Thank you for your Easter
cards and wishes. And thank you for your kind words of
sympathy for the passing of my sister, Sue Hershner. I very much appreciate your love and
kindness. ~ Pat Irons
Midwest Missions Distribution Center: In the midst of the COVID 19 pandemic, our trip to Midwest for July 19-25 has been canceled. Safety of our team members is the number one priority and we pray for the safety of the staff at Midwest.
The Tornado Kit campaign will end June 21. At the time of this writing, we have received funds for 20 kits. Thank you to all who have donated so far.
Although our country is at a standstill, the disasters continue. A check for the amount of the Tornado Kits collected will be sent to Midwest at the end of June. A reminder, June 21 is the end of the campaign for this year.
~The Midwest Mission Team
This year Missions Committee will have three regularly scheduled
meetings. 2020 meeting dates are:
Tuesday, June 9 at 7:00 PM Tuesday, October 13 at 7:00 PM
~ Donna Jackson
The American Red Cross Bloodmobile that was held on Monday, 5/4 collected 39 units with the potential of saving 117 lives.
Thank you – To all of my good friends at Trinity, thank you all very much for the wonderful dinner. It has been a pleasure serving 50 years as an usher. Again thank you. ~ Floyd Sterrit
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN NEWS
Hello UMW sisters,
I miss our get togethers, meetings and mission activities we do. I hope you are enjoying hearing from one another through phone calls, cards and our round robin emails. If you haven’t said hello please do, or remember it is a round robin so you can update us again as well.
In June we will not be having our annual salad luncheon. If permitted, we will have a meeting. We will sit socially distant and wear masks.
Does anyone need a mask? Let me know if you do. There are several of us making them so we will see that you get one. If you have any other needs, please reach out.
Also, Joan and the seamstresses are in need of fabric. If anyone has any, please get in touch with me and I will pick it up and deliver it.
Hoping to see you soon.
Love and prayers, Marilyn Turner
Rummage Sale
We are planning a Summer Rummage Sale August 20th - 22nd. There will be no Rummage Sale in October this year. We hope you will clean out closets, etc. and hold your treasures until drop-off begins on August 13th. Every dime we make will be important, so we need lots of donations that cover all seasons (including Christmas). Start sorting now please and thank you for all your support. Stay healthy and take care of each other! ~Sandy Snyder
Trustees Moments
June is rapidly approaching, and it has been determined that Trinity will reopen the church for Sunday services beginning on June 7th. Both the 8:30 and 10:30 services will meet in the Sanctuary for all or at least part of June. Sunday School classes will also open then at the discretion of each class.
With this opening, COVID-19 practices will be in place with social distancing being mandatory except family units that live together. Mask wearing will be highly encouraged but not mandatory. There will be a sanitation station available for all worshipers before entering the sanctuary. Disposable masks will be available for those who don’t have their own. All areas of the church that are in use will be deep cleaned and sanitized including all bathrooms, narthex, sanctuary and classrooms areas as needed.
All attendees are encouraged to take your own temperature before coming to church and persons not feeling well or have symptoms of a cold are encouraged to stay home. If for any reason you may feel uncomfortable or unsafe, please stay home. We will miss you! Pastor Jeff’s messages will continue online for the time being.
All groups that meet at Trinity will be dealt with individually with start times yet to be determined.
With all activities of the church put on hold, so was the total activation of the new security system. Everyone having a key to the church will be required to be trained on arming and disarming the system at the Center Street entrance. If those holders don’t want to have that responsibility, they will have to turn in their key to Denise during office hours.
May God bless Trinity United Methodist Church! Pray for our church.
Thank you! ~ Gary Begeman
Material needed: I never thought it would come to asking this, but for the first time, our shelves are nearly empty of material to cut for our sewing projects, such as hospital gown for little girls, flannel for baby kimonos, and material for book bags. If you have fabric sitting around that you would like to clean out, we would appreciate your considering to donate it for our cause----once we can get back in church to cut and sew! The hospital gown material needs to be a cotton or light polyester to cope with the climate are they will go to. Also, a possibility would be single knit fabric to make tank tops for little boys as well as suitable material to make shorts for them as well. Bias tape for armholes and necklines is also very much appreciated.
If no one is in the office to leave the material there, but the church is open, maybe it could be placed by the pill bottle container in the Narthex and we could take it from there. (When we can get into the church, we have been picking up what we can. Sewing gives us something to do during the quarantine period. Other regular times, as well. Thank you. ~ Joan Myers
Highly esteemed
After returning from a lengthy mission trip overseas, John Huffman and his fellow passengers were held up in customs for two hours. When he finally made it to the packed
airport lobby, Huffman realized it might take a while to find his family. But suddenly his 3-year-old daughter ran toward him yelling, “Daddy! Daddy! That’s my daddy!” and launched into his arms.
“What a welcome,” he writes. “I have never felt so loved and acknowledged in my life.” Perhaps that’s how God feels when we call on his name in worship and prayer, acknowledging him as our heavenly Father — and honoring him above all else.
2020 HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE GRADUATES This year’s graduating class has had a very unusual year. We will be recognizing our High School and College Graduates on Sunday, June 7th during the 10:30 worship service. Our High school graduates this year are Madison Fitzpatrick and Michalea Zeger. Our College graduates are Ben Hayes and Tim Williamson. Please join us in congratulating the Class of 2020!
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE:
Graduate: Madison Marian Faith Fitzpatrick Parents: Beth & Travis Tracy; Bob Fitzpatrick Graduate of: Mount Gilead High School Graduation Date: June 6, 2020 Clubs/Organizations: Basketball, Audition Choir, Pep Club, Student Council, National Honor Society Honors & Achievements: Basketball 2019-2020 season: 1st Team KMAC, 1st Team District 11, 1st team All-District, 3rd Team All-Ohio (Top 30 in Ohio for D3 basketball); Athletic Boosters Scholarship Future Plans: Bluffton University majoring in nursing and playing basketball Graduation Open House: June 28th from 3-7 pm at the McChesney Ice Cream Parlor in Cardington. (The venue is large, and the party will be held inside and outside to allow for social distancing.)
Graduate: Michalea Zeger Parents: Dan & Jaime Zeger Graduate of: Northmor High School Graduation Date: May 31, 2020 Clubs/Organizations: Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, National Honor Society, Knightsounds, Choir, FFA, 4-H, Student Council, Junior Fair Board Honors & Achievements: 2 year letterman in volleyball, 4 year letterman in softball, President of National Honor Society, Class Treasurer, Class Secretary, President of Choir, President of Knightsounds, The National Honor Society Choral award, Accepted into the National Leadership Society through MTC. Future Plans: Marion Technical College to obtain RN in 2 years. Work and attend Ohio State University to
obtain BSN. Then pursue Nurse Practitioner Degree.
From the Lay Leader
Joyfully we look forward to being together again as a church family! John Wesley taught us: “Do no harm. Do Good. Stay in
love with God.”
I’d love to see June 7th become a Rally
Day, complete with the “Hallelujah Chorus.” But no, things will look a little different without our choir in the loft. And
each of us will be identifying our own level of risk in returning to Sunday morning worship. Some of us can’t be in crowds yet,
no matter how well prepared the church building is. So, I’m hoping
Pastor Jeff and his talented media specialist, Denise can figure a way to
continue the power packed online messages that we
have been receiving weekly.
As we do come together, we want to be considerate of all by wearing our mask and
by social distancing. Those handshakes and hugs that we have been saving up will
have to be saved up a little while longer.
I have discovered this week a scripture passage found in Colossians 4:2-6. It is
meaningful for me because it gives guidance at this time of getting back into
the familiar rhythm of being a loving church family.
Don’t forget to reach out to others during the week. Is two a day too much?
Peace,
~ Anne Cotton
NURSERY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Because of our Child Protection Policy, we need a 2nd person in the nursery with Diana Kemp during the Sunday school hour
and during the 10:30 a.m. worship service. Please contact
the church office if you are able to help during either of these times at [email protected] or 419-947-6040. There are also sign-up sheets in the nursery. Thanks to all those who volunteered in the nursery: Gary Begeman, Kristi Bulkowski, Tom Cotton, Alberta Stojkovic, Pat & Dick Miller, Joyce Overmoyer, Vince Brown, Kimberly Neal and Sue Williamson.
LOW IMPACT/STEP AEROBICS CLASS
Exercise to Energize - Classes are on
Mondays & Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.
We exercise with music and mix in
light weights and floor exercises. We
would love to have you join us! If you
have any questions, ask Allen or
Alberta Stojkovic 419-946-4982.
2020 Altar Flowers Sign up Calendar
The Altar flower sign-up sheet for 2020 is hanging up and is located in the hall next to the workroom.
Make sure you write who is purchasing the flowers and who they are “In Memory of” or “In Honor of”. The cost of the flowers is $30. Please mark “Altar Flowers” in memo line of your check made out to Trinity UMC. The church office orders flowers for anyone who has signed up the week before the Sunday they are for. If you decide to get them yourself at another florist, please let the church office know in advance. Thank you!
SPECIAL EVENTS AND USE OF FACILITIES
We are fortunate to have a facility that is busy through the year. If you plan to hold a special event, work session or other function in the church, please make sure to check availability of date and time with the church office as far in advance as possible. A Building Use form may need to be completed and returned for approval and signature by the Trustee Committee. The forms are available in the church office or may be emailed by the office at your request. Your cooperation in this process helps everyone coordinate use of the facility. Thank you!
KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM
Trinity is part of the Kroger Community Rewards program. Just by using your Kroger plus card when you shop at Kroger, they will make a donation to our church. Our most recent check was $246.24. To sign up go online at www.kroger.com/community and register your Kroger Plus Card. Kroger recently updated its Community Rewards system. Trinity has been assigned a new number. You will need to enter Trinity’s number #RH570 and your email address. Thank you for supporting this program and Trinity UMC!
REIMBURSEMENT VOUCHERS
If you make any authorized purchases for the church, please return the original
receipt and a completed Voucher to the church office within one month of the purchase. This will insure that you receive your reimbursement on time and it also helps the church keep its accounts up to date and accurate. Blank Vouchers are available in the church office.
GOD’S SERVANTS – June 2020
June 2020
8:30 am Greeters
8:30 am Call to Worship Readers
8:30 am Scripture Readers
7 Gary & Carol Begeman Gary Begeman Gary Begeman
14 Rod Clinger
21 Pat Tolbert
28 Bill & Loretta Curts Loretta Curts Loretta Curts
June 2020 10:30 am Greeters
10:30 am Call to Worship Readers
10:30 am Scripture Readers
7 Allen & Alberta Stojkovic Anne Cotton Barb Brewer
14 Jim & Joyce Overmoyer Dennis Hill Robin Brucker
21 Juanita Piercy & Suzy Piercy Joan Myers Marilyn Turner
28 Ruth Logan & Evelyn Shoults Nancy Grossman Joel Seckel
June 2020 Pre-Worship
10:30 am Music
Altar Flowers ($30.00) 7 Canned Music Mike & Donna Jackson
14 Sue Smith
21 Dennis Hill Becky Maggs
28 Amy Barr Joan Meyers
June 2020
9:30 am Nursery Volunteers
10:30 am Nursery Volunteers
10:30 am Acolytes
7 Volunteer Needed Volunteer Needed The Bulkowski Family
14 Volunteer Needed Volunteer Needed The Rocks Family
21 Volunteer Needed Volunteer Needed The Hand Family
28 Volunteer Needed Volunteer Needed The Bulkowski Family
10:30 am Ushers: Merrill Brucker, Dennis Richardson, Dennis Hill, Glenn Hayes
Trinity United Methodist Church: Office Hours: 8:00 am – 3:30 pm [Lunch 12:00-12:30 pm]
Phone: 419-947-6040 Fax: 419-947-6050 Website: www.mgtrinity.com Email Address: [email protected]
Pastor Jeff’s Email Address: [email protected]
The Chimes is a monthly publication of Trinity United Methodist Church. Copy deadline is the third Wednesday of each month by 4 pm.
Trinity United Methodist Church Staff: Rev. Jeff Canankamp, Pastor - Parsonage Phone: 419-751-7572
Sabina Anderson, Music Director Susan James, Pianist Tina Schaeufele, Treasurer
Denise Canankamp, Secretary Barb Brewer, Kitchen Coordinator Diana Kemp, Nursery Care Giver
