What I Did This Past Summer!

It always seemed like it was the first writing assignment that most of my elementary school teachers would give at the start of a new year.  It was an assignment that made me relive those fun trips to the shore, body surfing in the waves and playing miniature golf on the boardwalk.  There were the wiffle ball tournaments in the empty lot in our neighborhood, the bike rides to the local store to buy cheap ice cream sandwiches, or the excitement of being allowed to stay out after dark and play flashlight tag.  This simple yearly assignment, as redundant and predictable as it was, was a wonderful reminder of some special times with friends and family that would be etched in my memory for years to come.

The same is true when it comes to our Church and the things we did this past summer.  During the last week of June we had an exciting week of Vacation Bible School with lots of children singing and playing outside, a sanctuary decorated in lanterns, bamboo, panda bears, and a waterfall.  There was the Riversharks game the first week of July and our own Mike Ralph, throwing out the first pitch.  We moved into high energy with our 11th year of Power Camp and camp favorites like the water balloon fight and the song Pharaoh Pharaoh.

We celebrated with our own Becky Visalli, who returned from Greece winning two gold and a bronze medal in Bowling at the worldwide Special Olympic Games.  There was the Adult mission trip to Mountain T.O.P. (Tennessee Outreach Program) along with the Youth Mission Trip to Camden, where families and a struggling Church were given help and the hope of  Jesus Christ.

In August we finally flipped the switch and went green to solar power where we not only will reduce energy costs but the project is the same as having planted 18,000 new trees.  Then on the 3^rd Sunday in August we had our outside Tent Meeting, packed for worship and an evening of fun with water slides, a barbeque dinner and a GREAT concert by the Martin Family Celtic Players.

And let’s not forget the two softball teams, youth outings, Delanco Camp, Family Promise Week and young girls Bible study.  We even have the memory of the last week of August being filled with an earthquake and a hurricane that cancelled worship.

So what did we do this past summer as a Church?  We kept striving to share the love of Jesus Christ in a façade of ways to make Disciples of Christ.  So what’s next?   Take a few moments and look through this newsletter and just look at some of the exciting things we have planned for our Church and Community.

Maybe you have been away or out of the loop for awhile.  No Problem!  Why not take this opportunity and invitation to start afresh this Fall and come discover just what our new mission statement says:  To Encounter, Experience, and Empower people to become Disciples of Jesus Christ.

Hope to see you as we kick off this Sunday, September 11, 2011

A NEW WEB SITE: On Sunday, September 18 Trinity will unveil its new web site at all 3 worship services. Didn’t have a chance to sign up for something on the bulletin board? Well you will be able to do it online and it will come to us in the office. Need a prayer request in the middle of the week, you will be able to send it confidentially to the office. Go from the website to our facebook page, twitter with your church family, and should you miss the sermon series you will be able to podcast and hear the service in the near future.

Trinity’s 3rd Annual 5K Run/Walk! Join us on Saturday, Oct. 8 as we race against hunger by raising funds and food for local food banks. Did you know that 12,000 people in Southern New Jersey seek some form of food assistance each week. We can help by signing up and paying the $10.00 fee as well as bringing a bag of groceries for a local food bank. Our goal is to get 100 people so join us on Oct. 8. The race starts at 9:00 a.m. followed by prizes, a t-shirts, and something to eat. Rain or Shine!

Got a Child in College?  We Need their address and email so that we might send them a goody care package in October, as well as keep them informed of some college plans for those at home and when they are on break. Please call the office at 478-0090 and let Irene know their address and email.

Last Call For Disciple Bible Study!  On Sunday evenings starting Sept. 25 from 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Pastor Glenn will be leading the Disciple Bible Study. This  study will help you learn about the Bible, read almost the entire scriptures by June, and really encourage you to grow and apply God’s word into your everyday life. The study does meet until the first week of June (with a Christmas break and other Sundays off) but is something you need to be committed to attending to get the full benefit. Because space is limited please contact Pastor Glenn gconaway.tumc@verizon.net   at by Sept. 12 if you wish to attend.

It’s Mummies of the World for the Young at Hearts (55 and older group) We will be going to the Franklin Institute on Wednesday, September 28 and leaving the church at 9:00 a.m. The cost is $20.00 which includes your transportation, ticket, and a bag lunch. Sign up in the narthex to go.  Pick up the Young at Hearts brochure in the narthex for all this year’s activities.  On March 28, 2012 we will be going to see Jonah at Sight and Sound in Lancaster. Sign up and a non-refundable deposit will begin in October for this brand new show.

Sunday School - will begin its fall season on September 11th. There are classes for every age. Children Pre-K thru 5th Grade can register online at http://www.planetReg.com/E729952116. Here is the schedule: At 9:45 a.m. Nursery- 6th Grade, Adults. At 11:00 a.m. Jr Hi & Sr. Hi, and Adults. Find a class that helps you encounter Christ!

Rally Day ... Soles4Souls — On September 18th, we will hold our Rally Day activities for our Sunday School program. We will be collecting new and gently used shoes for Soles4Souls. People are also encouraged to go barefooted that Sunday!!! Experience for a moment how others live... and then give them hope and help through your gift of shoes!!

Habitat For Humanity — We will be having a workday with Habitat for Humanity on Saturday, September 24th. We will meet at church at 7:30 a.m. or you can meet us at the jobsite in Clayton at 8:00 a.m. We will work until noon. It’s a lot of fun and helps out needy families!!!

Mission Softball, Kickball & Cookout Fundraiser - On October 1st, we will have a Kids/Parents Kickball game at 3:30 p.m.; Softball game (14 & up) at 4:30 p.m.; Cookout at 4:30 p.m.  There will also be other activities for children.  We will be collecting clothing for Angels of God Clothing Closet in Pitman & collecting financial donations for Wings of the Morning.

Add a Few “Weapons” to Your Parenting “Arsenal” — Beginning October 9th at the 11:00 a.m., we will have a six-week Parenting DVD series called “Making Children Mind Without Losing Yours.”  The presenter on the DVD is Kevin Leman, who was well received with two other DVD series we ran.  We will have child-care for these sessions.

Family Promise — We will be hosting the Family Promise ministry here the week of October 9-16th. Watch for your opportunity to cook, sleep over, drive a van, or be a host one evening!! It’s a great way to help a family get back up on their feet!!!

Men’s Saturday Pre-Chore Breakfast!  The Date is September 17 at 8:00 a.m. in the fellowship hall.  We are serving up eggs and bacon and a Tomato!   That is right — a Tomato.  Come find out why?   Then if you can stick around for an hour after the breakfast as we do some light clean up of the church.  Sign Up in the narthex for the breakfast or email the office.

Time.4.You — is a new support group for those who are caregivers. We meet on the 2nd Wednesday of the Month at 11:00 a.m.  The next meeting will be September 14^th.  If you find yourself providing care for someone, come take a few minutes to find support, encouragement and time for you!!!

Do you have a condition such as diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, heart disease, chronic pain, or anxiety?  Do you feel that your illnesses have taken over your life? Do you care for someone else with all of these problems?   YOU can take charge of your life by attending a 6 session class provided FREE by the State of New Jersey.  The classes will be held here at Trinity at the end of September through October.  They will be from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM on Tuesdays.  Pick up a brochure in the Narthex or just sign up under the poster on the bulletin board in the narthex.

Calling all Women of the church:  Women's Bible Studies:

On Thursday mornings, beginning Thursday, October 6th at 9:30, Diane Porter will again be leading a morning bible study for the women of the church.  They will be studying  the book of Acts - Seeing God's Power in Action.   Study Acts and you will begin to understand what the Holy Spirit can do in you and in the world.  Study guides will be available  on October 6th.

On Wednesday evenings, beginning Wednesday, September 28th from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., Janis Gansert and Denise Manna will begin a women's bible study.  "Esther - It's Tough Being a Woman", a study by Beth Moore will be the topic.  Space is limited to 13 participants, so please sign up in the Narthex if you are interested.

DISCOVER THE ONE DRINK THAT CONNECTS YOU WITH GOD'S POWER. Like a fast-paced drama, your life cuts from one scene to the next with hardly a moment to breathe. The H20 DVD-based small group program is a 10-week video series that reflects your lifestyle and helps you know how to quench your thirst for life's satisfaction. Join us starting September 11, 2011 in the cafe at 9:50AM for this exciting new study.

Imagine Your Life Without Fear.  Please join us as we meet to study FEARLESS, by Max Lucado September 11^th in the train room at 9:45.  Max challenges us with this statement, “Fear will always knock on your door.  Just don’t invite it in for dinner. And for heaven’s sake don’t offer it a bed for the night.” This study book is such that each chapter is significant and wonderful on its’ own, so feel free to join us even if you can’t make it every Sunday.   Leaders are Barbara Moist 223-0738, Bob Beske 478-2410, John Samuel 478-2036.  Please call any of us with questions.

Adult Sunday School Class...How can you cope with stress? Rebound from failure? Defeat depression? Have peace of mind? Life's difficult questions have answers. Answers from the Bible can change your outlook and your life. Rick Warren (God's Answers to Life's Most Difficult Questions),  takes you to the Bible for answers to twelve of life's toughest questions. Drawing from the examples of different biblical characters who faced the same issues, Warren offers concise, practical insights you can understand and apply in order to move past hardships and experience a life of purpose and significance.   Class will begin on Sunday, September 11th at 11:05 a.m. downstairs in the Library.

"Why Heaven?"  Is there a Hell and how could God do this or that?  An eye opening discussion from Mark Galli's book "God Wins" will be the next book we discuss in Pastor Glenn's Book Club which is set for October 4th at 7:30 p.m.  Sign up in the narthex to get your book by September.

PITMAN MANOR INDOOR YARD SALE will be on Thursday, October 20 from 10 AM until 3 PM. Donations will be accepted on Tuesday October 18 and Wednesday, October 19. Good jewelry, books, attic treasures, linens, collectibles, games and puzzles. Mullica Hill is again in charge of the bake sale. We hope many of you will be able to bake. Calls will be made for baked goods.

Thank you for all your help for both these projects. Half the profits are donated to the Fellowship Fund and the other half will be used for residents at the Manor.
    ~ Joanne Padgett 478-2866

College Treat Boxes: Our college kids are off to another year at their institutions of higher learning. Let's let them know that their church family is thinking about them. On September 18, we will begin collecting items for "goodie packages" to be sent to them. Please put your donations in the box in the narthex. Any individually wrapped snacks (cookies, nuts, pretzels, granola bars, popcorn, etc.) would be terrific. We know our college kids greatly appreciated them.