We have started a ministry at the Downtown Rescue Mission. Our objective is to support the Women and Children’s Ministry there. Sandra Cepada and Helen Housch are teaching a bible study class on Wednesday and in in need of additional teachers and support.

Here is the list of current needs:

• Women to serve as back-up teachers – Wednesdays 12 to 1:30PM.
• Women to teach parenting classes – the church has curriculum they can make available to the teachers. These classes would be Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 to 1:30PM.
• Women to keep the children while the parenting classes are going on – Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 to 1:30PM
• Women to keep the children while our Bible Study class is going on and also while a DRM bible class is going on – Mondays and Wednesdays from 12 to 1:30PM
• Women to mentor the ladies in the Celebrate Recovery Program at the mission. When these ladies get to a good point in their recovery program, they would be assigned a mentor that can take them out to lunch once a month, or take them to the park for a walk, or even take them home to spend a weekend with them. The idea is for the ladies to have somebody to talk to and be mentored by so that when they leave the mission after completing the 18-month Celebrate Recovery Program they can continue a relationship with the mentor. This is certainly a task for which our Stephen Ministry training has prepared us well!
• Drivers to drive the Church van to transport the ladies and children to their appointments. These drivers would have to be Trinity members (for insurance reasons). They will be trained to drive the minibus, will need to have a valid driver's license and hold personal car insurance. – Mondays and Wednesdays from 8-5PM. We could do shifts so a person doesn't have to drive the whole day or every week.

Contact Sandra at sandra.cepeda@cepedasystems.com Cell 256-527-8749

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Keith Monk, pastor at Pleasant Grove UMC in Hulaco, has two houses that they have started rebuilding in that community. There are work teams there this week and next week and they hope to get them framed and dried in. He could use help especially the week of 8/15-8/20 to carry on these jobs. If you could work for a day or more, he could definitely use your help. They will need siding, roofing, wiring, plumbing, sheetrock, etc.

Contact Keith Monk monk_keith@yahoo.com or (205) 482-3600

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The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is working with partners already in the region to respond to the escalating famine in the Horn of Africa. This complex emergency is the culmination of crop failure, one of the worst droughts in 50 years, escalating food prices, and political unrest in the region.

UMCOR is sending grants to support the work of ACT Alliance, Church World Service, and GlobalMedic in Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia. Funds will provide food, clean water, and shelter for those who are displaced and living in camps.

Your gifts to International Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #982450, designated to Horn of Africa Crisis, will support these and future efforts to alleviate suffering for so many.

To learn more and to give now, click here. Gifts can also be directed through the church by making your check to Trinity UMC and designating it "Africa Relief."

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One of Huntsville's programs that ministers to the homeless is in need of supplies to replenish their health care kits.

Items in particular need are:

• sample or travel-sized hygiene products
  • soap
  • shampoo
  • deodorant
  • lotion
• tooth brushes
• tooth paste
• fingernail clippers
• bandaids
• antibiotic ointment

Please bring your items this week and place in the purple bins located at the Wesley Hall entrance, Narthex and New Room Lobby.

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Beginning August 21 in Trinity's Cappuccino & Christ Service, we will start a sermon series on "Questions for God."  Sherill Clontz, C & C Worship Leader would love to hear what questions about God and faith you'd like to explore.  You can send your questions to her one of several ways:

• email (sclontz@northalabamaumc.org)
• post on her blog (http://pastorsherill.blogspot.com/2011/07/questions-for-god.html)
• post on Sherill's facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/sherill.clontz)
• tweet Sherill at @PastorSherill
• Fill out a card provided at the August 7 C & C Service

We'll select four questions to explore, but all questions will be helpful as we plan worship for the coming year.  We look forward to reading your questions!

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From Charles:

In traditional worship, we have been talking about "Christ All Around Me," for the past several weeks.  In the first of the series, we talked about "Christ Before Me," how Jesus is there ahead of us in whatever situation we find ourselves, but particularly when we are caring for someone in his name.  This past Sunday, we talked about "Christ Beside Me," how Jesus walks beside us, particularly in ministry, to teach us, encourage us, and reveal himself to us.  This Sunday, we will be talking about "Christ Above Me," a rather unusual topic for us, as we consider the text, Luke 24:50-53.  As you read the text and prepare for worship, you might consider the following:

• Why do you think it was necessary for Jesus to leave the disciples, even after he resurrection?  What did he mean when he said to them, "if I don't go, the comforter will not come to you?"
• We have talked about Jesus being present with us, before us and beside us.  In saying that Christ is above us, does that mean he is not always present with us?  How did the disciples experience both is presence and his absence as they moved out into ministry?
• As you think of Christ Above Me, what does that mean to you in your relationship with Jesus? 

See you in church on Sunday.

From Sherill:

This Sunday, I will be concluding the sermon series, "Dangerous Wonder."  During the last month, we've discussed the importance of stopping to remember who God is and how God operates in the world so that we can recognize God at work in our lives and in the lives of the world. Last week, we talked about the importance of receiving what God has to give us.  And this week, we'll reflect on Matthew 6:24-26 as we discuss the relationship between our faith and our ability to take risks for the Kingdom of God.  This week as you ponder this text, consider these questions:

• Some people talk about the struggles of life as the cross they have to bear, but Jesus says that we are to take up our cross and follow him.  Apparently, our cross is not something that the world or life's events places on us but something we choose to pick up and carry.  In that case, what does it mean to take up a cross and follow Christ?
• What are the risks of a cross bearing faith?
• What kinds of crosses might Jesus be asking you to bear?
• What is the promise for those who take up their cross and lose their life? And what difference might it make to the world if more Christians were willing to do so?

God Bless.

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If you missed the opportunity to purchase Janet Anderson's book "After The Tornadoes, Reflections for Recovery" after worship on June 5th, copies will be available in the front office at Trinity for purchase.

The book costs $20 and all proceeds will go to benefit UMCOR as they aid families struggling to rebuild after April's Tornado Outbreak in North Alabama.

Cash or personal checks accepted.

For more information, contact Janet Anderson at jclouds@bellsouth.net.

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Relief and recovery efforts from the tornadoes still continue in our community and beyond. As we get further into the recovery process, it will be very important for us to stay mindful of the long term needs that we will all be addressing for some time. In addition, our region braces for more difficulty as we watch the waters rise along the Mississippi River. At the same time, too many reminders and updates can cause fatigue and negate the efforts to stay motivated.

Mission Trip Information Session

This Sunday, May 22, following worship, we will have a brief information session in Room 191 under the Sanctuary regarding a relief trip to the Sylvania area on June 10-11.

Larry Lowe and Kenny Kirby will be heading this trip up. The trip will be limited to 20 individuals and will include heavy lifting and work. Also needed will be food and supply support. More details will be provided in the meeting.

If you cannot be there, but would like to be added to the interest list, contact Matt Reed at (256) 883-3200 ext 218 or via email

Opportunities this Week

Volunteers are still needed on Saturdays in many areas for debris cleanup. The following churches or organizations are acting as coordination sites.

Madison County

Individuals

• Good Shepherd UMC (1418 Old Railroad Bed Road, Madison, AL) Good Shepherd will be organizing volunteers for debris removal only on Saturdays now. Work begins at 8:00 AM. Just show up to work. Please wear appropriate clothing (closed toe shoes, long pants, gloves) and bring applicable tools. Water, sunscreen, and lunch are recommended.
• Harvest Baptist Church - call 256-837-4129 from 9AM to 6PM to volunteer for work in the Harvest area.

Groups

• United Way of Madison County & Madison County VOAD - the group coordinator may call between 8 and 5 daily to register. You must call by Wednesday to receive an assignment for the Saturday workday. You also may register on-line at www.mcvoad.com.

Sand Mountain

• Upper Sand Mountain Parish - http://www.uppersandmountainparish.org USMP serves the Sand Mountain area. They are in need of help with debris cleanup and general support.
• First Baptist, Rainsville - is coordinating relief efforts in the area for cleanup. Groups with specific skills are preferred. Contact Jeff Mann at (256) 638-8637

"Lighter work"

As our community continues to recover, it is now even more important to support those agencies that were serving the poor, even before the storms. Though you may not be working directly on the "frontlines," all of these agencies are serving people either directly or indirectly impacted by the tornadoes.

• UMC Disaster Warehouse in Decatur
• Manna House
• Downtown Rescue Mission
• Christmas Charities
• Salvation Army

Finally, please continue to log your volunteer efforts in recovery. Every hour served helps toward the funds allocated for recovery reimbursement. Use the link to log your hours. If you served multiple times or in multiple locations, use the form to submit each event separately.

Thank you for all that you continue to do.

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Many volunteer coordination centers we have been working with are in a transition phase of either shutting down, re-focusing their efforts, or transferring administration to other locations. Several places that I have spoken to are using this week to evaluate where their upcoming needs are due to the overwhelming nature of the storms and volunteer and donation response. This has made getting new or updated information a little hard to come by in the early part of this week.

In the coming days and weeks, you'll begin to see opportunities to serve focus more on long-term recovery. Warehouses and donation centers will continue to need support and opportunities for repair and rebuilding will come about. This is all part of what can be a very long process of recovery.

A word about the process of recovery

We are now beginning to move into the second and third stages of disaster response in our area and in the state. As a result, we will begin to see more long-term needs being identified and the importance of sustaining volunteer and recovery efforts for months, and even years to come.

One of the ways to describe how long recovery takes is based on looking at how long the first stage, or "emergency phase" lasts. This is the period right after the disaster that consists of evacuation, emergency services, medical care, rescue efforts, and utility repair. Persons needed to respond are those with specific skills, certification, and official clearance.

The relief stage consists of damage assessment, debris removal, securing and making homes habitable (if possible), and providing caring ministries. As a general rule, this stage lasts 10 times longer than the emergency stage. Persons generally needed are skilled, self-sufficient response teams and individuals equipped to do things such as tarping, tree removal from homes, and "mucking" in the case of flooding.

Finally, the recovery stage lasts 10 times longer than the relief stage, where things begin to be put back to "normal," homes are repaired, and long-term needs are addressed. To think about recent examples, the anticipated time of recovery for Hurricane Andrew is 10 years and recovery from Hurricane Katrina is expected to take close to 15 years. All sorts of skills and levels of experience are needed to help accomplish this task.

One of the complicating factors of what we are facing in the state is that because this disaster was so widespread and had such varying levels of destruction, different parts of the state and even cities are recovering at different rates. This is why you may see work teams able to perform certain work in some areas but not in others.

All of this highlights the need for patience, perseverance, and prayers. We are all going to be looking at recovery for a long time in Alabama and the southeast and it will take the resilience of us all to help make restoration and recovery possible.

Service Opportunities

Below you will find opportunities of how you can continue to serve. As many organizations are beginning to move into this second and even third stage of recovery, you will begin to see more things in the future related to repair and rebuilding and needs requiring skilled or semi-skilled labor. If this is not part of your skill set, please bear in mind that there are many other critical support needs and tasks complementary to the skilled work that will be going on. We are all needed.

Training opportunity

Trinity Caring Team of Listeners
Thursday, May 12th, 6:30 p.m.
Trinity UMC Room 264
Led by Dr. David Barnhart.

The focus will be on listening and providing care for people who have PTS/PTSD from the tornadoes, the aftermath and from helping. It will be for caregivers to know what to look for so they can know how and when to refer persons to seek other counseling. This will provide basic training for those who want to be on a caring team of listeners as part of the Trinity UMC Disaster Relief Team. Use this link to register and find more details.

Service needs

• Good Shepherd UMC - (1418 Old Railroad Bed Road, Madison, AL) Good Shepherd will be organizing volunteers for debris removal only on Saturdays now. Work begins at 8:00 AM. Please wear appropriate clothing (closed toe shoes, long pants, gloves) and bring applicable tools (crowbars, sledgehammers, chainsaws, bolt cutters, etc.)
• Disaster Response Warehouse in Decatur - (2342 Breckenridge Avenue, Building F, Decatur, AL) the warehouse receives, assembles, ships, and manages emergency response supplies for north Alabama. Currently, they're open Monday through Saturday 7AM-11PM (though hours may change). This is where flood buckets, health kits and other supplies are stored and then sent out not just to respond to the storms in Alabama, but current disasters in the US and worldwide.
• Manna House - Manna House is distributing food and basic needs daily. They are also in need of having their supplies replenished. Located behind The Rock.
• Christmas Charities - (2840 Jordan Lane, Huntsville, AL) - Christmas Charities distributes clothing and provides some basic home supplies in addition to their Christmas toy program. They are in need of help sorting through donations and restocking their store. Go to http://christmascharitiesyearround.org/ for more information.
• Salvation Army - is in need of help sorting through donations at their warehouse. They are located at 2112 Oakwood Avenue.
• Disaster Response Call Center, Birmingham - This call center will field phone calls for the North Alabama Conference tornado disaster response. The Conference is currently looking for volunteers to work in the call center. Each volunteer will go through a brief training when s/he shows up for her/his first shift. Use this link to sign up and find more details.

Collections

The only active collection at Trinity at this time is for health kits being done through our Children's Ministry. We will collect health kits through this Sunday. For details about how to build a health kit, go here. Kits can be dropped off on Sunday in the Asbury wing or during the week in one of the bins at the Wesley Hall entrance.

For all other donations and supplies, please take your items directly to the agency. This will ensure that the items get there immediately and can be sorted and processed more effectively.

Manna House is still in need of food and basic home and care supplies.

As a gentle reminder, PLEASE, DO NOT BRING CLOTHES!

Other important information:

• Self-Report - Have you been working in the field, providing meals, or other relief assistance? Please let us know so that we can have an accurate record of how we've contributed. Use the link to let us know how you've served.
• Sign up to help in various ways - Please use this link to let us know how you're interested in serving. When opportunities come up, we'll use this list to contact you.

There is so much more to share, and I hope to provide more information as soon as I'm able. Please continue to be patient and in prayer for all who continue to recover.  Thank you for your continued efforts and support.

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This is Senior Recognition Sunday at our church.  Our Seniors will be in both services.  Tony will preach at the C&C service so that he can speak directly to our graduating seniors.  I'll have the opportunity to speak to them at their banquet which follows the church service.  I'll be preaching in the traditional service, starting the series originally scheduled for this month on Living and Loving in 21st Century Relationships.  I'll be talking about "Living Together in Today's World," using the text from Genesis 2:18, 21-25 and Luke 8:19-20.  As you read over these texts and think about Sunday, you might consider the following questions:

1. How has the institution of the family changed in the past twenty years, and what challenges do those changes bring to us as Christians?
2. What does the Bible say about the family and about God's people living together?  How does the Scripture provide healthy instructions about family relationships?
3. What do the passages above tell us about living together and how might we use those instructions in our own families?

Hope to see you in church on Sunday!

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(current as of 5/6/2011)

Items being collected for Tornado Victims

The following things are being collected at Trinity and at other locations throughout the city. This page will be updated as new needs are determined.

Bring the following items to Trinity and place them in the bins near the Wesley Hall Entrance.

Food for Thought

• standard food pantry items

CASA

• Ensure
• Glucerna
• Adult diapers

Manna House

• food
• toiletries

For Sand Mountain/Rainseville/Cartersville

Contact Leslie Vallely (256) 503.8268 or for more detials. ***These are critical needs as there are still people in the area without shelter.

• Portable Grills
• Tents
• Diapers
• Toiletries

Relief Supplies

• Being received at Latham UMC - Find the list here.

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Thank you for your continued prayers and support for those affected by the recent tornadoes and storms.  We have been overwhelmed with calls, emails, and texts of people just at Trinity wanting to help.  Across the city, state, and nation, so many more are calling their respective pastors and relief agencies doing the same thing.  Our prayer is that this spirit will continue for months and even years to come, as it will be a very long time before many communities fully recover.

Upcoming Trainings

ERT Training at Asbury UMC in Madison
Saturday, May 7 from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

This training is highly recommended for volunteers wishing to take part at a work site as identified by the Conference assesment team. Leaders of these work teams must have ERT training before being given an assignment. Training will cover essential skills and information on the process of recovery and relief. Use this link to register and find more details. Please contact Matt Reed if you need assistance with the $15 registration cost.

Trinity Caring Team of Listeners
Thursday, May 12th, 6:30 pm
Trinity UMC in Room 264
Led by Dr. David Barnhart.

The focus will be on listening and providing care for people who have PTS/PTSD from the tornadoes, the aftermath and from helping. It will be for caregivers to know what to look for so they can know how and when to refer persons to seek other counseling. This will provide basic training for those who want to be on a caring team of listeners as part of the Trinity UMC Disaster Relief Team. Use this link to register and find more details.

Volunteer Opportunities:

• ERT Work teams - once we have leaders certified through the ERT Training, Trinity will be eligible to field teams to receive assignments from the Conference Disaster Response Center. Team registration and assignments can be made by going here.
• On-going meal support - Thank you to all who have volunteered to provide a meal next Monday! We have all of the cooks we need at this time. However, if you would like to help provide a meal on another day, please email Matt Reed stating what days you may be available and we can connect you with the Harvest Youth Center.
• Disaster Response Call Center - This call center will field phone calls for the North Alabama Conference tornado disaster response. The Conference is currently looking for volunteers to work in the call center. Each volunteer will go through a brief training when s/he shows up for her/his first shift. Use this link to sign up and find more details.
• Disaster Warehouse in Decatur - The Disaster Warehouse in Decatur is always in need of people to receive supplies, assemble care packages, and much more. Tasks are available for most all ages. Use this link to find directions and contact information. Though the warehouse is open most every weekday, it is recommended to call before going.
• Manna House - help with the distribution of food and other essential items to the area needy. Manna House is located behind The Rock.

If you're looking to meet up with a group or find others from Trinity to work with, consider using our Facebook page to share when you're going and where (http://www.facebook.com/TrinityHSV).

Collections:

Bring the following items to Trinity and place them in the bins near the Wesley Hall Entrance.

• Food for Thought - standard food pantry items
• CASA - Ensure, Glucerna, Adult diapers
• Manna House - food, toiletries
• For Sand Mountain/Rainsville/Cartersville - Contact Leslie Vallely 256.503.8268 or for more details
  • Portable Grills
  • Tents
  • Diapers
  • Toiletries
• Relief Supplies are being received at Latham UMC - Find the list here.

Other important information:

• Self-Report

  • Have you been working in the field, providing meals, or other relief assistance? Please let us know so that we can have an accurate record of how we've contributed. Use this link to let us know how you've served.

• Sign up to help in various ways

  • Please use this link to let us know how you're interested in serving. When opportunities come up, we'll use this list to contact you.

In the message at the Healing Service, I shared a reflection by Rev. Sheri Ferguson, Executive Director, United Methodist Pastoral Care and Counseling, Inc. Click here for "Points To Consider Regarding Alabama Tornado Recovery"

Thank you again for all that you are doing.  I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

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An update on Trinity openings and cancellations are below.

But first I'd like to invite each of you to join me for a special Prayer & Healing Worship Service tomorrow night at 5:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary.  I'd like for us to gather as a congregation for beautiful organ music, prayer and reflection during this difficult time. We'll pray for healing in the midst of lives lost, homes devastated, and lives forever changed; as well as for the grief over these events that we all carry.  We'll take a special offering for tornado disaster relief as a part of our service.

DO YOU NEED HELP?

Please let us know if you or someone you know needs assistance.  For congregational care, contact Abi Carlisle-Wilke.  For property damage, food, supplies, etc., contact Matt Reed.

SCHEDULE

TUESDAY

Church offices are open today, closing the building at 5:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

Church offices are open today on a regular schedule, 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.   There will be limited activities:

• Open - Trinity Child Development Center re-opens
• Open - Trinity Place Alzheimer's and Dementia Adult Day Care re-opens
• Open - Choir, band and hand bell rehearsals
• Special Prayer & Healing Worship Service
• Cancelled -- Wednesday Night Dinner
• Cancelled --  Classes and programs

THURSDAY

Church offices and staff are open on regular schedule

• Open - classes and programs, unless your group leader has contacted you
• Cancelled -- Youth Rummage Sale weekday collection and weekend event

SUNDAY

8:45 a.m. - Adult, Youth and Children's Sunday School
10:00 a.m. Traditional and Contemporary Worship Services
Converge not scheduled for tonight since it's Mother's Day Weekend

Please plan to attend the special Prayer and Healing Service on Wednesday.  I look forward to seeing you there.

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For Trinty members and friends and anyone wanting to help:

• Self-forming groups will gather at Trinity every morning this week at 8:30 to ride the bus to the volunteer center at first baptist Shane Kennedy will drive.
• Join Chef Phil at 10AM Monday at Trinity to fix food that will be delivered to work sites. contact Lee Horton (lahorton64@gmail.com) for more details
• Finally, these supplies that are now being collected.

For CASA

• Glucerna/Ensure Adult Diapers

***Bring them to Trinity between 9-3 each day, Wesley Hall Entrance. We need people to help receive materials, contact Lee Horton to sign up for a shift.

Food for Thought

We need your food pantry items now more than ever. Bring your FfT collection to Trinity this Sunday. (non-perishable items such as: peanut butter, canned meats, pasta, etc.)

Relief Supplies being received at Good Shepherd UMC and Latham UMC

• Tarps (at least 5 mil) preferably in large sizes (20’ x 30’) although all sizes will be helpful
• Non-perishable food items
• UMCOR Health Kits
• General First Aid Kits
• Garbage Bags (Heavy Duty)
• Diapers
• Baby Food
• C-Cell & D-Cell Batteries
• 6-Volt Lantern Batteries
• Bottled Water

Thank you for all that you are doing individually and collectively, and also as representatives of the church and through your businesses.  Please pass this information along to as many people as you can. We are finding that, despite our best efforts, we are only able to communicate with a small portion of the congregation. Please share as much as you can.

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Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.  We will have no services on Sunday unless power is restored by then.  The safety issues were upper most in my consideration, along with the request that we not overuse resources.  I encourage you, along with the city officials to stay home and be safe.

If power is restored early in the week we may announce an weekday service of prayer and thanksgiving.  Stay tuned.

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This Sunday, we begin a new series of Sermons about the family, entitled "Living and Loving in 21st Century Relationships."  We will be talking about family life today and how it is different from family life in previous generations.  Our modern world has put stresses on family life like never before, but it has also given us opportunities that we have never had before.  This Sunday's sermon will be the introduction to the series designed to start our thinking about what it means to live together as followers of Christ in today's families.  In the following sermons we'll talk about, "What Women Want Men to know," "Raising Holy Children," "What Men Want Women to Know," and "Families Near and Far."  I'll be preaching in both services this Sunday on the topic, "Living Together in Today's World," using the texts, Genesis 2:18, 21-25 and Luke 8:19-20.  As you read over the texts, you might consider the following questions:

1. Thinking back to when you were growing up, what are the changes that have taken place in your family?  Which changes do you like?  Which changes do you not like?  What could you do to make your own family life better?
2. From the passages above, and from other passages you have read, what does the Bible teach us about family relationships, and about how we life together?  Are there any changes you would like to make in the way you live with and relate to other people today?
3. Jesus said that those people who do the will of God are his brothers and sisters?  What are some ways the church could help you as you struggle to live in healthy relationships in today's world?

See you in church on Sunday.

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This Sunday, we have four worship services for Easter.  Please note the changes in worship times:  8:30 and 11:00, traditional worship in the Sanctuary and 9:45 and 11:00, contemporary worship in the New Room.  I'll be preaching in both traditional services and in the 9:45 contemporary service using the text from Matthew 28:1-10.  Abi Carlisle Wilke will be preaching at the 11:00 contemporary worship service.  As you read through the text, please consider the following:

1. Matthew indicates both the time when they went to the tomb and the fact that those who went were women.  What do you think they were going to do.  Why was the time important, and why did only women go?
2. Jesus had indicated that he would be raised from the dead, yet still they were surprised.  Why do you think they found it so hard to believe?  Are there parts of the resurrection story that you have trouble believing today?  What are they and why?
3. The angel gave them specific instructions and then Jesus emphasized further the instructions given by the angel.  Where were those instructions and how might they relate to us today?  Do they have any particular meaning for you personally?

Don't forget our Maunday Thursday service at 6:30 on Thursday in the Sanctuary where we will share communion and have the traditional stripping of the altar.  On Friday evening at 6:30, we will have a Good Friday Tenebrae service with the traditional readings from the Passion Story in the New Room.  I hope you can join us for these services as you prepare to worship with us on Easter.

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This is Palm Sunday and I will be preaching in both services on the topic, "Hope Peddlers," using the text from Matthew 21:6-9, the story of Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem.  As you read over the text, you might consider the following:

1.  The text contains many symbols and phrases that would have been important in Jesus day -- the donkey, the branches, Hosanna, etc.  What is the meaning of each one and what do they tell you about Jesus?

2.  Jesus coming filled the people with a new hope.  Why were they longing for hope, and what did his coming bring to them?

3.  How has Jesus come into the lives of people in our day, perhaps in your life, and what has it meant to you?

Hope to see you in church on Sunday.

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We have passed our electrical inspection, and on Thursday, April 14th, we insulate in our Habitat home.

Saturday, we will finish the siding, soffits, brick pocket and put aluminum on the fascia.

On Tuesday, April 19 we will receive and install the window for the living room and clean up the home for installation of the sheet rock.

After Easter, we will begin painting and finishing the interior of the home. Your help would be greatly appreciated.

For more details, contact Andy Trice at (256) 289-3436 or ratrice@comcast.net. Or go to our Habitat page on our website.

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I will be preaching at both services this coming Sunday on the John 3:5-8.  This is the second in a series of Sermons introducing a new vision for our church --- "Compelled by the love of God, Trinity desires to be a place of transformation and hope, where people are needed and the needs of the world are met in Jesus name."  The title of this weeks sermon is "Transformers."  As you read over the text, please consider the following questions as you prepare for worship:

1. What does it mean to be born of water and the Spirit?
2. How does Jesus talk about the wind relate to our understanding of the Holy Spirit?

How are people different if they are born from above?

See you in church on Sunday!

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The service in C&C this Sunday will be a special musical presented by our Children and Youth Choirs, accompanied by the Youth Band.  I will be preaching in the traditional service on the text from Deuteronomy 6:5 and John 3:16-17.  This sermon will be the first in a series introducing a new vision for our church.  The series is called "The Transformation Place" and this sermon is entitled "The Compelling Love of God."  The new vision, which we will be discussing in our church council meeting next week reads as follows -- "Compelled by the love of God, Trinity desires to be a place of transformation and hope where people are needed and the needs of the world are met in Jesus' name."  I will be preaching on different concepts of the vision during the next month, even as the specific language may change somewhat as we talk about it in the council and in small groups.  I invite your prayers as we seek God's guidance in this very important matter.  As you read the text for this week, you might consider the following:

1.  What do you think it means to love God with all your heart, your soul, you mind and your strength?  What would that look like when lived out in a person's life?

2.  While Deuteronomy 6:5 speaks of our love for God, John 3:16 talks about God's love for us.  If God loved us this much, then what are the implications of this kind of love?  What kind of response does it call forth from us?

3.  John 3:17 speaks of Jesus' purpose in coming to us - that the world might be saved.  We normally think of individual salvation.  What might it mean to save the world?

In the both services, we will celebrate Holy Communion.  See you in church on Sunday.

If you missed last Sunday you can listen to the sermon on website: http://www.trinityhsv.org/Messages.aspx

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This week we conclude the series Trusting God in All Things as we talk about Moving Forward.  I will be preaching in the Sanctuary, and Matt Reed in The New Room.  We will both use the text from  Exodus 36:1-7.

As you read over this passage consider the following questions:  

1. Moses had asked two skilled workers to help with the creation of the sanctuary.  What skilled workers are needed today to build the Church?  (Hint:  Think of the Church as spiritual and physical in nature.)
2. These individuals had both skill and a heart for the work.  What does it mean to have a 'heart' for the work of the Church today?  What does it look like?
3. The people were called to bring freewill offerings to work and in the end had to be refrained because they were bringing too much.  How might that occur in our day?

Hope to see you in Church on Sunday.

If you missed last Sunday you can listen to the sermon on website:  http://www.trinityhsv.org/Messages.aspx

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Serving the City is a local effort that:

• Allows churches an opportunity to serve the community together
• Demonstrate the love of Christ
• Build bridges from the church to the community
• Meet basic and urgent needs in the city
• Provide face to face encounters with people in our community
• Service to the community presents opportunities for sharing Christ

It will be held this year on Saturday, April 2, 2011.

To sign up or learn more about projects go to http://www.servingthecityonline.com/

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The United Methodist Church has been monitoring events following the catastrophic March 11 earthquake and tsunami — and subsequent nuclear threat — in Japan.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief is working with the United Church of Christ in Japan and GlobalMedic to bring immediate relief to the affected communities. Aid will include: pressing humanitarian needs such as clean water, food, clothing, and heating fuel. Aid will also include rescue teams and other care as needed. Financial donations are only being requested at this time. We will not be collecting physical items for relief.

You can help by designating UMCOR Japan on your check.  For more information about UMCOR and supporting its relief efforts, go here.

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Meals to Grow at Trinity currently delivers 180 bags of food each week to University Place Elementary. Recently, the school asked if we could take on an additional number of bags. That doesn't sound like much, but the numbers have continued to increase since the program began. While our program has the funds to meet this demand, unfortunately the additional bags translate to extra storage needs, purchasing, and coordination, which we don't have. In order to accommodate the growing demand, we are now helping seed a Meals to Grow program at Holy Spirit, by helping fund their startup. They will take on the additional bags needed to support University Place with the hopes to grow their program to support the growing need. Thanks for all of your support for Meals to Grow and for your compassion, care, and love for our area's children. To find out more about Meals to Grow, click here.

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Morris Elementary is in need of tutors for Math and Reading. Louis J. Morris Elementary School is a highly diverse, Title One school located on Bob Wallace Avenue, just west of the Botanical Gardens. With essentially all students members of poverty homes the children face significant educational and socialization challenges. The kids need all the loving Christian help they can get. A Volunteer Orientation meeting will be conducted in Morris at 5:30pm, Tuesday February 1,  in the lunchroom. Tutoring Classes will begin Monday February 7, 2011 from 2:45 till 4:30pm and continuing for 8 weeks on Mondays & Tuesdays. Contact Doug Seay at (256-883-7108 or dougseay@comcast.net) See the attached brochure for more information.

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John and Suzanne Funk (and their family) are missionaries in Bolivia.  They are supported by our congregation through our missions budget. Recently, John has had a recurrence of cancer which will require further treatment to delay the reappearance of future tumors. This will be an ongoing process and will require more regular trips to the US for treatment. The family is very confident for John's long-term health, but know that this will be something that John battles the rest of his life. Trinity remains committed to supporting the Funks in their missionary efforts in Bolivia and prays for their strength and endurance during this time. In addition, an appeal has been made to all of the churches of the North Alabama Conference of the UMC to help offset the additional medical and travel costs they now face with this new diagnosis. These are expenses that are not covered by their missionary salary support. Additional gifts beyond salary support may be made by writing "John Funk" on a check made payable to Trinity. These funds will be sent to the Funks through arrangements made by their family who live here in Huntsville. To learn more about the funks and receive regular updates on their missionary efforts, go to http://www.funk4.com There, you can find information about the family, their mission, and a link to their gift catalog in which you can help purchase needed items for their mission such as books, office supplies, and basic amenities for their mission housing.

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On Sunday, Dec. 5, the CBS Television Network will broadcast a CBS Religion Special about the assistance given to the people of Haiti. After a 7.0 magnitude earthquake ravaged Haiti in January 2010, some of the first responders were religious relief organizations. These faith-based groups continue to work in Haiti, as the road to helping the country sustain itself remains a very long one. The program looks at relief efforts begun immediately after the quake as well as the progress currently being made in Haiti by faith-based organizations. Members of Church World Service, Catholic Relief Services, Jewish Distribution Committee, and United Methodist Committee on Relief will share stories about their work with viewers. Of particular interest is the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) which is the relief body of the United Methodist Church. Click here for more information and to check local broadcast times. (as of this posting the scheduled time for the Huntsville broadcast is 5:30 AM on Sunday, December 5)

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This winter season will see a completed renovation of Kybartai UMC building with a new coat of stucco and paint, a changed roof, and finished façade details. The current building is home to a small sanctuary and also accommodates a kitchen, an office and a classroom for youth and children programs. In the future when the permanent sanctuary is built, the facilities will host the church’s diaconal and educational programs and serve as a congregational life center. Find the online newsletter of Kybartai UMC by going to http://kybartaiumc.wordpress.com/

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Imagine a movement that mobilizes tens of thousands of people in 10 days. It's called 10-Fold. 10-Fold.org 10-Fold What Will You Do? The event launches on October 10, 2010 and lasts for 10 days. 10-Fold is about multiplying ministry and mobilizing passionate people to stand up and be counted for the causes they believe in. It will be live. It will be full of resources and information. It will demonstrate the passion of the people of The United Methodist Church. It is called 10-Fold and you can be a part of it. Every day will focus on a different project supported through The Advance, the designated giving arm of The United Methodist Church. The goal is to gain the support of 10,000 people for each of the 10 projects. With the support of annual conferences and churches, 10-Fold will bring these global projects to the people through webcasts, streaming video, online chats and other media. For 10 days, these ministries will be on your doorstep. You can provide tangible support just by registering your interest with these Advance projects.

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Week of Service During the week of October 4, there will be several different mission opportunities that individuals and/or families can take part in. These would be great options to take advantage of during Fall Break. The tentative schedule is as follows. Updates and new opportunities (including work with Community Development) will be added, so check back often! Monday, October 4 TBD Tuesday, October 5 CASA Garden Only a couple of hours of work in the garden supports Huntsville area senior citizens and homebound by providing them thousands of pounds of nutritious fruits and vegetables. Must be 13 or older to participate. Youth under 18 must have adult supervision. Meet at Trinity at 3:30, or at the CASA Garden at 4 PM. We'll finish by 6 PM. Email Matt Reed or call (256) 883-3200 ext. to sign up or for more details. Wednesday, October 6 Green Team Help clean up and keep Huntsville beautiful. We'll work at Jones Farm Greenway from 10 AM - Noon. Great project for little ones (when supervised by parents). Meet at Trinity by 9:40 AM or join us at the greenway at 10 AM. Email Matt Reed or call (256) 883-3200 ext. 218 to sign up or for more details. Please sign up before Noon on 10/5 so that we have enough materials. Thursday, October 7 CASA Garden Only a couple of hours of work in the garden supports Huntsville area senior citizens and homebound by providing them thousands of pounds of nutritious fruits and vegetables. Must be 13 or older to participate. Youth under 18 must have adult supervision. Meet at Trinity at 3:30, or at the CASA Garden at 4 PM. We'll finish by 6 PM. Email Matt Reed or call (256) 883-3200 ext. to sign up or for more details. Friday, October 8 North Alabama Conference Disaster Warehouse The disaster warehouse in Decatur supports the relief efforts of North Alabama. They receive, process, and ship all sorts of materials that are used in recovery efforts throughout the U.S. and the world. Work will include sorting, processing, and other activities related to assisting disaster relief. Meet at Trinity at 9:00 AM to ride over. We'll break for lunch, and be back at Trinity by 4:30 PM. Email Matt Reed or call (256) 883-3200 ext. to sign up or for more details. Please sign up by Noon of 10/6 so that the warehouse can prepare for our arrival. Check back often for updates which will be indicated by "NEW!"  

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UPDATED! Work will be done on a local home Thursday, September 30, 2010 Repairs include: replacing the siding in a 10' X 10' section to the back of the house with 7/16ths mdx board Some of the studs may have to be scabbed Materials will be provided by the city. Work shold last no more than a day. Meet at Blue Plate Cafe for breakfast at 7AM or at the work site at 8:30AM. Contact Barry Guynes (256) 881-0791 for more details. Click here for a map to the work site.

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The following teams in the North Alabama Conference are seeking members to complete their mission teams. Anne Forgey at Huntsville First UMC has an opening for 2 team members to Haiti in October.  The trip cost is $1200, and half the money is needed to purchase airline tickets very soon.  Please contact Anne at 256.539.7367 ASAP. Rachel Estes at Canterbury is seeking more members for a Haiti team this fall.  Please contact her at rachel_estes@canterburyumc.org for more information. Volunteers Needed for Trip to Zambia: Trinity UMC of Birmingham, AL and SIFAT will be taking a construction team to Zambia October 27, 2010-November 10, 2010. They will be building a new Methodist office and SIFAT training center in Lusaka. Volunteers are needed for this trip. If you would like to go or have any questions regarding the trip, please contact Rev. Dave Barnhart dbarnhart@trinitybirmingham.com or (205) 879-1737. FUMC Tuscaloosa is seeking team members for a trip to Chile Oct 29-Nov 7. If you are interested, please contact Dorothy Raymond atrraymond1887@charter.net Robert Garrison of Mountain Chapel UMC is seeking to join a mission team going to Haiti in 2011. He has construction experience. Contact him at gatorbuilder@aol.com Teams are needed to go to Yorito, Honduras with AHMEN in the summer of 2011. Please contact Linda Tripp at ctripp@bellsouth.net

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The Interfaith Mission Service will be hosting the Day of Service and Unity (DSU) on Saturday, September 11. DSU is designed for people of all ages and abilities who want to get involved to serve and improve our community through opportunities for all individuals, families and groups to connect through service. Join with other congregations in the IMS Cooperative at 7:30 am at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church for continental breakfast and fellowship. A brief unity celebration and assignments will take place before teams leave to work at their site locations. The event is free. Register and more information here. Day of Service and Unity Saturday, September 11, 7:30 AM - Noon Gather: St. Mark's Lutheran Church (200 Longwood Dr.)  

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There is an immediate need of both Early Response Teams to respond to the new flooding last week and Rebuild teams to address the growing list of active construction projects in Tennessee. Wayne, Wilson, Sumner, Macon, Jackson, Putnam, and Overton counties saw the most flood damage from recent storms. The area UMC Disaster Response teams are working on assessments and collecting reports from other areas. It is unlikely this event will be large enough to warrant FEMA assistance, so even small numbers of survivors will mean enormous long term needs. There is a growing list of projects needing construction teams over the next couple of weeks and only a handful of teams. If you would like to help put together a team, please contact DisasterResponse@tnumc.com or (615) 695-2765, or Matt Reed at (256) 883-3200 ext. 218. For even more information, follow the Tennesse Relief Blog at: http://tnumcrelief.blogspot.com/

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September 5th is the next Food for Thought collection St. Paul's is in need of: many jars of small or medium peanut butter small jelly crackers green peas spaghetti pasta small fruit juice jello For the October 3rd collection Holmes Street UMC is in need of: canned vegetables canned fruit canned meat dried beans pop tarts jello Thank you all for continuing to show your J.O.Y. (Jesus overflowing in you) through serving those in our community who need a helping hand.

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“Give us each day our daily bread…” Luke 11:3 School is back in full swing and it’s time to start preparing bags of food for impoverished children in Huntsville. Join us Wednesday, September 1st in room 191 to pack 500 weekend meals for these children. Set-up starts at 4:00 and packing is from 4:30-5:30. For more information visit www.mealstogrow.org or call Trina at 880-2210.

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Daniel Terry, a United Methodist layperson, working in Afghanistan was killed August 5th in an attack. More details and the full article can be found on the UMC website here.

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Pink for Life hosts "Shop for the Cure" at Trinity On Friday, July 9, from 5-8 PM, the Pink for Life team, who are walking in the annual Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure event, will be hosting a "Shop for the Cure" event at Trinity. The Pink for Life team will be raising funds for breast cancer awareness and research. Shop for the Cure is one of several fundraising efforts being put on by the team and the ladies would love it if you could do your part to help out.  Shop for the Cure will be held in Wesley Hall. Vendors include Silpada Designs Jewelry, Dove Chocolates, Creative Memories, Arbonne, Ginny’s Gems and numerous others. There will be door prizes and silent auction items from The Pink Pelican, Spoiled Rockin’ Kidz, Loletta’s, Serendipity and many more. For information, e-mail Tammy at tklueger@gmail.com. If you’d like to donate to the team, please visit their website at the3day.org/goto/pinkforlife.

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The Church & Society Ministry Team is hosting an opportunity to become better informed about our Alabama Constitution on July 12, 7:00-8:30 p.m. in Room 269.   Mr. Julian Butler, Attorney for Madison County, will be discussing our constitution as it relates to counties and home rule.   This topic is much a part of the conversation in public forums in recent years. Come hear what it is all about and why it relates to our discipleship.

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Help Huntsville Senior Citizens Harvest season is here, and the CASA community garden needs your help! Come out to the garden on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 4 and 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays between 8:30 and 11 a.m. to help harvest fresh vegetables for Madison County seniors. Go to CASA's website for more information. CASA Garden location: 4725 Bob Wallace Ave. Next to the Botanical Gardens. Click here for a Google Map.

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"For I was hungry and you gave me food...." Matt. 25:35 School is out for the summer--music to children's ears. However, for some, it means less nourishment and more hunger pangs. They no longer have the free school lunches or the weekend back-pack snacks. Please remember to pick up an extra food item each time you grocery shop and bring your collection the first Sunday of each month. Red and blue bins will be in place for your donations. St. Paul's food pantry is in special need of: peanut butter jelly instant potatoes tuna crackers canned fruit jello This month's collection will fall on July 4.

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We are excited to report that finally, after months of negotiation and prayer, the container that was shipped from here to Haiti has finally arrived at its destination.  The container was filled with medicines, relief equipment, tents, and supplies that continue to help in the relief effort there.  A separate shipment of medicines, worth over $1000, was sent in May.

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