Today's blog is submitted by Jana Peterson, Trinity Lutheran Church's Volunteer Coordinator.
Join Ladies Aide? Me? I’m really not much of a lady – more like a crazed mother with four (five if you include my husband) teenagers in the house. Why would I join another organization with more commitments and worst of all MEETINGS?
I pondered this question shortly after Dorothy Schmidt invited me to join her TLCW circle. With some apprehension, I attended my first “circle” in the fall of 2006.
Lutheran women have been going to circle for generations. I remember my own mom participating in Mission Circle and then, as she became older, Esther Circle. Many of us have heard someone say “I have circle tomorrow morning,” “I have circle at my house this month,” and “our circle is collecting items for midwifery kits.”
But what is a circle?
We all know a circle is a round geometric shape. Why call a group of church women a circle?
Mr. Webster helps out and gives this definition: “a group of persons sharing a common interest or revolving about a common center.” What a perfect description! Women gathering to share their love of a common interest and centering on Jesus Christ.
Circles come with names. Rebecca, Naomi, Ruth, Deborah, Anna, Mary, Sarah are women of the Bible honored by Trinity Women to name a particular circle. Trinity circles range in size from nine to twenty women. They meet in the morning, afternoon, and evening on three different days during the second week of the month. They meet in member’s homes or Trinity.
This past month I hosted circle at my house. It was a beautiful September morning when the members of Naomi Circle arrived at my home. Hugs were abundant as circle members greeted one another after a summer spent at lake homes and visiting families. As we drank coffee and ate a light brunch, we discussed the start of school, the frustration of road construction in Moorhead, and caught up on the welfare of fellow Trinity members.
The sun warmed us as we began our study of Paul’s letters to the Romans. (The Bible study is lead by a member of the circle. The lessons come from the Lutheran Woman Today magazine.) We journeyed through Rome, Corinth, Thessalonica, and Galatia. We discussed the history of Paul’s letters and how they are relevant today. We closed our study with a prayer, standing in a circle holding hands with the person next to us with Christ in the middle.
A short meeting was held after the Bible study. We discussed the upcoming bazaar at the Moorhead Center Mall to be held in November. The bazaar is the major fundraiser for Trinity Women. The money made at the bazaar is used to give students money to attend Concordia, help charities in the community and pay for TLCW’s small operating budget. We ended the morning with good wishes and mutual encouragement.
Circles may be the oldest small group at Trinity. Over the years circle members have supported each other through good times and bad. Every month the Fargo Forum publishes an entire page of support groups available to those in the Fargo Moorhead area. The groups meet on a regular basis to help each other share ideas and coping skills to handle a disease or difficult situation in their life. Circles do the same thing.
As one of the younger circle members I have much to learn from the older members. Many of their lives have been touched by sadness through the loss of a spouse, mother, father, or child. I have learned from their experiences. I often ponder how they can still be smiling after all they have endured. I can take from them the hope that comes from watching someone survive something so sad. Hopefully the younger members of the circles give the older women energy and the promise that the work of the circles will continue.
Circles are a part of TLCW – Trinity Lutheran Church Women. This organization meets four Saturday morning a year. The gatherings are usually held in the CLC. The morning includes special music and a guest speaker. Items for Lutheran World Relief kits are collected at the meetings. The first meeting this year will be on October 24th starting at 9:30 a.m. Pastor Laurie Natwick, Assistant to the Bishop ELCA NW MN Synod will be the speaker.
All women of Trinity belong to TLCW. Your level of involvement is up to you. I encourage you to become involved.
Ladies Aide. It may have changed names to fit the times but the spirit of its mission is the same. I am certainly no lady. I love sports, prefer slacks to dresses, and don’t wear a hat to church but I treasure Ladies Aide. It is my time to experience the word of the Lord with my circle of friends and find support in all life has to offer.
If you would like to join a circle, contact Arlene Regelstad, TLCW’ circle organizer, at 233-4879 or amreg@juno.com.
Come – be mutually encouraged.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Trinity Preschool Turns 40
Preschool Director Kay Heidrich talks of the 40th anniversary of the The Trinity Lutheran Church Preschool. A celebration will take place this Sunday, September 20.
"Jesus said 'let the children come to me; do not stop them: for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.' and he took them in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them." (Mark 10: 13-16)
And come they did!
Trinity Lutheran Church Preschool is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Established in 1969 in response to an ever growing demand for child care for working families, the preschool opened with 18 children, three staff, and one director. Today we have78 children, ten staff and one director.
Our program has grown over the years in so many ways. We started as a nine-month program serving 3-5 year olds, and added toddler care in 1989, and school age care in 1992. We have become a true mission of the church with Chapel, Christian curriculum, service projects, and growing as disciples of Jesus Christ. We are an accredited program meeting the highest quality standards in the nation as set forth by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
It is so exciting to be turning 40 this year. We didn’t color our hair, but we have colored our walls The preschool wing ( the lower level of the church) has taken on color and character and we invite you to come down and visit us any time, but especially this Sunday, September 20, from 12:00-1:00 p.m. We are throwing a birthday party complete with cake and juice in the Christian Life Center and invite you to come join us, and celebrate.
I myself started at Trinity when my son was eight months old. He is now working on his masters at NDSU, and coincidently was our first toddler here! This is just the best childcare center to work at. We truly do care about each other, work together, and love what we do. I can’t imagine working anywhere else! I know I am getting old though, when my first class is becoming ordained ministers (little Bobby Bekkerus), and are getting married and having kids that will soon be coming to Trinity Preschool!
We will be putting together a Trinity Preschool Facebook page soon, and I will be excited to share some of our day to day victories and celebrations. Watch for this to roll out in October some time.
Keep your kids coming, keep us in your prayers, and know that we love each and every one of you.
For the kids,
Kay Heidrich, Director
"Jesus said 'let the children come to me; do not stop them: for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.' and he took them in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them." (Mark 10: 13-16)
And come they did!
Trinity Lutheran Church Preschool is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Established in 1969 in response to an ever growing demand for child care for working families, the preschool opened with 18 children, three staff, and one director. Today we have78 children, ten staff and one director.
Our program has grown over the years in so many ways. We started as a nine-month program serving 3-5 year olds, and added toddler care in 1989, and school age care in 1992. We have become a true mission of the church with Chapel, Christian curriculum, service projects, and growing as disciples of Jesus Christ. We are an accredited program meeting the highest quality standards in the nation as set forth by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
It is so exciting to be turning 40 this year. We didn’t color our hair, but we have colored our walls The preschool wing ( the lower level of the church) has taken on color and character and we invite you to come down and visit us any time, but especially this Sunday, September 20, from 12:00-1:00 p.m. We are throwing a birthday party complete with cake and juice in the Christian Life Center and invite you to come join us, and celebrate.
I myself started at Trinity when my son was eight months old. He is now working on his masters at NDSU, and coincidently was our first toddler here! This is just the best childcare center to work at. We truly do care about each other, work together, and love what we do. I can’t imagine working anywhere else! I know I am getting old though, when my first class is becoming ordained ministers (little Bobby Bekkerus), and are getting married and having kids that will soon be coming to Trinity Preschool!
We will be putting together a Trinity Preschool Facebook page soon, and I will be excited to share some of our day to day victories and celebrations. Watch for this to roll out in October some time.
Keep your kids coming, keep us in your prayers, and know that we love each and every one of you.
For the kids,
Kay Heidrich, Director
Thursday, September 10, 2009
It’s Church Season Once Again
As the seasons begin to change and summer vacations come to an end, it triggers changes internally as well.
As students from elementary through college-aged return to school, the sports seasons change from baseball and softball to football and volleyball, among others.
But that’s not all that changes with the seasons and Trinity Lutheran Church is no different.
It didn’t take me long to realize and I was reminded early this week that the church seasons are changing as well. No more summer.
This Sunday, September 13, deemed “Rally Sunday,” marks the beginning of the new church season across the Fargo-Moorhead area.
A full two-page spread appeared in the Forum of Fargo-Moorhead Wednesday of just local congregations advertising for Rally Sunday. The church season is definitely upon us.
As I’m sure is the case all around the area, Trinity has a full schedule for Sunday morning to help kick off the new church season. We go from three services to five and Sunday School begins once again. Rally Sunday is also complete with activities that include a petting zoo, the annual Stockholder’s Banquet and a special talk from Minnesota State University-Moorhead President Edna Szymanski.
So if you haven’t been to Trinity in awhile because you have been on summer vacation, Sunday is a perfect chance to get back in the swing of things.
RALLY SUNDAY SCHEDULE
Worship Services
8, 9 and 11 a.m. traditional worship in the Sanctuary
9 and 11:10 a.m. contemporary worship in the Christian Life Center
Sunday School
10:05 a.m.
Youth Forum
10:05 a.m.
School of Discipleship
10:05 a.m. with Dr. Edna Szymanski (MSU-M President)
Petting Zoo
9:30 until 11:00 a.m.
Stockholder’s Banquet
5 p.m. in the CLC
As students from elementary through college-aged return to school, the sports seasons change from baseball and softball to football and volleyball, among others.
But that’s not all that changes with the seasons and Trinity Lutheran Church is no different.
It didn’t take me long to realize and I was reminded early this week that the church seasons are changing as well. No more summer.
This Sunday, September 13, deemed “Rally Sunday,” marks the beginning of the new church season across the Fargo-Moorhead area.
A full two-page spread appeared in the Forum of Fargo-Moorhead Wednesday of just local congregations advertising for Rally Sunday. The church season is definitely upon us.
As I’m sure is the case all around the area, Trinity has a full schedule for Sunday morning to help kick off the new church season. We go from three services to five and Sunday School begins once again. Rally Sunday is also complete with activities that include a petting zoo, the annual Stockholder’s Banquet and a special talk from Minnesota State University-Moorhead President Edna Szymanski.
So if you haven’t been to Trinity in awhile because you have been on summer vacation, Sunday is a perfect chance to get back in the swing of things.
RALLY SUNDAY SCHEDULE
Worship Services
8, 9 and 11 a.m. traditional worship in the Sanctuary
9 and 11:10 a.m. contemporary worship in the Christian Life Center
Sunday School
10:05 a.m.
Youth Forum
10:05 a.m.
School of Discipleship
10:05 a.m. with Dr. Edna Szymanski (MSU-M President)
Petting Zoo
9:30 until 11:00 a.m.
Stockholder’s Banquet
5 p.m. in the CLC
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
The Learning Continues...
Pastor Emmy Isaackson offers insight on being a lifelong student. Emmy is one of Trinity's six pastors.
Driving home from church on Sunday, I noticed students moving into their dorm rooms. Memories of my first weeks at college flashed through my mind. The days were filled with meeting people, eating my fill at the campus dining service, staying up late, taking naps and studying. I thoroughly enjoyed student life, both in college and seminary. Most days, I enjoyed sitting in class, stretching my mind to grasp new thoughts, and putting words to my learnings in papers. Of course, there were days when I wished to be doing something else or just to be doing nothing at all, but all in all the life of a student brought me great joy. Learning took effort, but the energy and effort were very rewarding for me.
As summer draws to an end this year, I'm reminded that even though I am no longer a student headed back into the classroom I am still a student. In fact, we all are. As disciples of Jesus--followers of Jesus--we are invited to continue to learn from our teacher. Most clearly, one of the ways we learn from Jesus is through digging into the Bible. The stories in the Bible teach us about how God has been at work in this world and how we are invited to share in God's work in the world. Just as learning in college and seminary took effort on my part, learning and growing as a follower of Jesus doesn't just happen. It takes effort.
As the routine of fall begins and children and adults head back to school, we might all do well to take pause and think about how our life as followers of Jesus is taking shape. I share with you some questions that I have been asking of myself.
-When do you read the Bible, just for the sake of reading it and hearing what it is saying?
-Who do you read the Bible with? Who could you be reading the Bible with?
-What might you need to take out of your life or change in your life, in order to have time for reading the Bible?
-How do I feel fed and encouraged when I read the Bible? What’s keeping you from experiencing that more often?
Over the coming months, keep your eye out for further invitations from Trinity to share in reading and learning about the Bible, our book of faith. In the meantime, enjoy the life of a student! Dig into your Bible. Continue to learn about the Good News. Let me know what you are reading about! I would love to hear.
Driving home from church on Sunday, I noticed students moving into their dorm rooms. Memories of my first weeks at college flashed through my mind. The days were filled with meeting people, eating my fill at the campus dining service, staying up late, taking naps and studying. I thoroughly enjoyed student life, both in college and seminary. Most days, I enjoyed sitting in class, stretching my mind to grasp new thoughts, and putting words to my learnings in papers. Of course, there were days when I wished to be doing something else or just to be doing nothing at all, but all in all the life of a student brought me great joy. Learning took effort, but the energy and effort were very rewarding for me.
As summer draws to an end this year, I'm reminded that even though I am no longer a student headed back into the classroom I am still a student. In fact, we all are. As disciples of Jesus--followers of Jesus--we are invited to continue to learn from our teacher. Most clearly, one of the ways we learn from Jesus is through digging into the Bible. The stories in the Bible teach us about how God has been at work in this world and how we are invited to share in God's work in the world. Just as learning in college and seminary took effort on my part, learning and growing as a follower of Jesus doesn't just happen. It takes effort.
As the routine of fall begins and children and adults head back to school, we might all do well to take pause and think about how our life as followers of Jesus is taking shape. I share with you some questions that I have been asking of myself.
-When do you read the Bible, just for the sake of reading it and hearing what it is saying?
-Who do you read the Bible with? Who could you be reading the Bible with?
-What might you need to take out of your life or change in your life, in order to have time for reading the Bible?
-How do I feel fed and encouraged when I read the Bible? What’s keeping you from experiencing that more often?
Over the coming months, keep your eye out for further invitations from Trinity to share in reading and learning about the Bible, our book of faith. In the meantime, enjoy the life of a student! Dig into your Bible. Continue to learn about the Good News. Let me know what you are reading about! I would love to hear.
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