Trinity Voices

Easter, 2007

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Articles

• Minsters' Message, by Rev Andy and Rev Lorraine
  A Few Laughs at the Ministers’ Expense...
  Marion Loree’s Ordination
  Financial Update
  EVERY PURCHASE COUNTS
  I Saw the Face of God
  NURTURE COMMITTEE
  The Lonely Trail
  Letters from Mozambique
  Baptisms at Trinity
  Thank you, Trinity!
  New Brunswick Ginger Cookies
  God Forgive
  Calendar notes - Where did those names come from?
  The Kid's Corner
  A Note From the Editor: Why Wasn’t My Submission Published?

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Dear Trinity Friends,
Talk around Trinity these days has turned decidedly towards all things Spring! When temperatures warm and days lengthen and brighten, people seem to be happier. Conversation sparkles and we look forward now to budding trees, greening lawns and blossoming flowers.

This promise of life, emerging even now, ties us solidly to Easter. We have travelled down these many Lenten days-all around us the symbols of Easter are displayed. Oversized bunnies and cute little yellow chicks adorn the shelves of many stores now. Chocolate confections of every sort with shapes that confound our sensibilities (I saw a full sized chocolate soccer ball the other day) are everywhere.

While the wider community anticipates the long weekend that will come with Easter, we are remembering the symbolic days yet to pass. You will have received your newsletter on Palm Sunday; the day on which Jesus enters the city of Jerusalem and there is much excitement and palm waving. As we leave worship today we know that our focus will shift again, away from the joy of Jerusalem’s parade to the events of Holy Week-and we will gather again Good Friday morning to walk the most difficult part of the Lenten journey as we recall Jesus’ crucifixion.

It is noted every year that some people seem reluctant to focus on this most critical moment in the Easter story-perhaps it dredges up painful memories-but it is pivotal to the Easter experience, for, how can we rise with Jesus on Easter morning if we have not died with him on Friday?
We invite you to consider this question as you plan your week.

As Gordon Light’s lovely Easter hymn proclaims, ‘joy comes with the dawn; joy springs from the tomb!’ Easter morning will have us looking forward again. The tomb is empty and we are filled with hope at the promise of new life reaffirmed in Christ’s rising.

As you gather with friends and family this Easter, may you know deep joy in the gift of hope realized. Share it with those you meet as the days lengthen on now to summer and beyond.

Happy Easter Blessings!
                                        Rev. Lorraine & Rev. Andy

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A Few Laughs at the Ministers’ Expense...

A boy was watching his father, a pastor, write a sermon.
"How do you know what to say?" he asked.
"Why, God tells me."
"Oh, then why do you keep crossing things out?"

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After a church service on Sunday morning, a young boy suddenly announced to his mother, "Mom, I've decided to become a minister when I grow up."

"That's okay with us, but what made you decide that?"

"Well," said the little boy, "I have to go to church on Sunday anyway,
and I figure it will be more fun to stand up and yell, than to sit and listen."

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Marion Loree’s Ordination

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Financial Update

March 2007.

Our Annual Report for 2006 shows that Trinity had a decrease of 4.4% in offerings in 2006. Fortunately there were some “one time” reductions in expenditures (mostly in wages and benefits due to staff changes etc.) that resulted in an almost “break even” financial situation by the end of the year. Without these unexpected savings we would have had a deficit of approx. $12,000.

Our budget for 2007 requires an increase in offerings of 4.5% in order to accomplish our activities and ministries for the coming year. We encourage everyone to review their contributions to the church and ask that you make the appropriate adjustments if at all possible. Our financial results to the end of February for 2005, 2006, and 2007 are as follows:

2005 actual       $34,317
2006 actual         32,556
2007 actual         30,848
2007 budget        36,864

We are concerned about this downward trend and that to date in 2007 our offerings are not only below those of the previous year but they are now over 16% below where we should be at the end of February! It is important that we rectify this deficit as soon as possible. We ask that everyone consider their present offerings and do what they can to bring us to the level that was approved at the Annual Meeting.

Your continuing support of our fund raising activities during the year is also encouraged. We appreciate your involvement in these activities and the contributions that they make to our life as a congregation and to our financial resource base.

Mike Jenkinson, Chair,
Finance and Stewardship Committee,
March 24, 2007.

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EVERY PURCHASE COUNTS

...........in the GIFT CARD REBATE PROGRAM

We started the gift card rebate program at Trinity two years ago and the number of people participating in this opportunity has grown to approximately 40% of the congregation. Participants enjoy the opportunity to use gift cards themselves, give them to others as gifts, and feel good about helping Trinity every day. The cards are redeemable anywhere in Canada and they make excellent gifts for university students and family members who live elsewhere.

In 2006 this program contributed over $6,000 to the General Fund at Trinity.

We maintain a supply of the Zehr's/No Frills cards and have them available for direct purchase every Sunday in the Auditorium. The other cards from Avgen are ordered monthly on the last Sunday of the month, and are available for pick up the following Sunday. The list includes Old Navy, Sears, Laura Secord, Winners, Mark's Work Warehouse, Home Depot, Canadian Tire, Second Cup, Swiss Chalet, M and M Meats, Petro Canada, Staples, Future Shop and many more.

The program is simple; you order your gift cards from Trinity and the church is able to buy them at a discount. You use the gift cards and certificates just as you would with cash or charged purchases. The usual points and coupons that purchases normally generate, like Canadian Tire money, remain in effect. The rebates for a family of two are estimated to be $53.75/mo. or $645/yr.

Gift cards are a convenient and easy way to shop once you get accustomed to the program. The benefits to Trinity are most helpful in supporting our ministry and outreach programs. Our objective is to increase the number of families using this program and to broaden the purchase base beyond the grocery program provided by  Zehrs. The grocery cards are available for purchase every Sunday in the Auditorium. Heather also has a supply in the office. All the other gift cards must be ordered from Avgen Incentives Group in advance and are available for pick up on the following Sunday in the Auditorium. At present we are placing an order with Avgen after the last Sunday every month. An increase in volume will result in more frequent orders and therefore better service for all.

We ask that you give it a trial run if you are not yet participating in the program. If you have been a participant we thank you for your continuing support.

Finance and Stewardship Committee.

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I Saw the Face of God

I stood upon the mountain top one evening,
Watched an eagle soar on cooling breeze.
I felt God’s Holy Presence all around me,
I praised Him as I fell upon my knees.

Refrain:
I saw the face of God upon that mountain,
Heard His voice thru whisp’ring forest green.
Peaceful silence wrapped its arms around me,
I heard the lullaby of rippling stream.

I sat upon the mountain top one morning,
Felt warmth from rising sun and golden ray.
Birds sang praises from the highest tree tops,
All creatures stirred to greet a bright new day.

I saw the face of God in His creation
I marvelled at the beauty all around
My heart filled with love and such elation
I knelt with reverence on God’s hallowed ground.


Joyce Martin
© Dec. 14, 2006
 

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NURTURE COMMITTEE

SPRING REPORT 2007

The Nurture Committee has been busy keeping the coffee hour organized and trying to search out enough volunteers for preparation of coffee and tea after both services.  First of all, we would like to extend a great big THANK YOU, to those dedicated members who continually sign up for and make coffee for the early service and for the 10:30 service.  You know who you are and we do appreciate your ongoing efforts to help with coffee hour after our two church services.  If we could have more volunteers, it would mean that church members would only have to sign up once every few months.  This is our goal and our challenge to everyone who reads this newsletter.  We have recently prepared a new SIGN UP SHEET for people to fill in their names, phone numbers and which Sunday service they would be available to help make coffee and tea.  This list can then be used by our committee, as a call list, if we see a vacancy on the Coffee Sign Up Sheet by the kitchen door.  The new SIGN UP SHEET can be found on the bulletin board across from Lorraine’s office and on the bulletin board near the kitchen.  It would be very helpful to the Nurture Committee to have a list of people we could call when the need or vacancy arises for coffee duty.

At the February 18th , 2007, General Meeting of the congregation, our committee organized the set up and serving of soups, bread, buns, crackers and drinks.  A very special THANK YOU to everyone who donated their special soup and were on hand to serve it as well.  We had 11 specialty soups donated for this luncheon and found this to be a very good mixture.  As usual, our wonderful and giving church members helped put tables away, gather up dishes and tidy up the gym.  As they say, many willing hands make for a light task.  Thanks so much to everyone for helping with our various responsibilities at the church.

We want everyone to know that the Nurture Committee will be looking after a Congregational Pasta Lunch on September 16th, 2007, after the 10:30 service.  This was enjoyed by so many last year that we have been asked to provide the pasta lunch again this September.   We will also be looking after the Congregational Dinner in October of 2007.

We will soon have a vacancy for a new chairperson for the Nurture Committee.  We have a great committee with wonderful, dedicated, special people and we are in need of someone to chair this committee.  Please give this matter some thought and contact any committee member if you would like any further details about this.

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The Lonely Trail

 
I didn’t mean to get dementia,
It’s not something that I planned.
My mother-in-law had Alzheimer’s,
We looked after her those many years.
My sister in law developed it too.
I know she cried and cried,
Because the genes were on her family side,
She knew what it would do
For her daughters and their families,
As it takes hold and grew.

My husband feared this dread disease.
I had no fears,  it wasn’t in my genes.
My mind was always razor sharp
I knew a thing or three,
Treasurer, Secretary or Chair
I served on Boards and Councils.
Three times I ran the Seniors Show at ‘Ross’.
‘Cause I was so astute- At least until the day
My daughter said, ‘It’s time to move’, and so began
The lonely trail I do not understand.

I worry about my husband,
I forget those years have ended.
We shared laughter, life and love.
My daughter tells me he is fine.
My Mum came by the other day,
She was a bit confused,
So Pop came by and led her back
To where it was she’d been.
And I worried that Pop had lost a cow.
My daughter says ‘Their  fine’.

My Mother-in-law sat  there, the other day,
She was looking really well.
So I‘m not alone on this lonely trail,
I just don’t know where I am.
But give me a quiz, and I will prove
There’s nothing wrong with my brain!
Though I don’t believe if they tell me
The score was rather weak.
My answers are right, it’s yours that aren’t!
And my daughter says ‘That’s fine‘.               

Written by Valerie Morrell
Subject her mother Ruth.

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Letters from Mozambique

Letter 160 8 March 2007

All look to you to give them their food in due season....When you hide your face, they are dismayed. -Psalm 104.27, 29

After leaving Mozambique last August for home assignment in Canada, we’ve now arrived back in our province of Zambezia, and are picking up again with our Letters. Our time in Canada filled up with presentations, visiting congregations, telling about the work of our United Church partner the Christian Council of Mozambique. A busy but rewarding time.

But we’ve returned to much suffering. Just before our arrival here in our city of Quelimane 394 mm of rain fell in 24 hours. Frightened people climbed on chairs and tables as water levels rose in their houses. When levels rose more, they scooped up whatever they could carry and splashed to emergency shelters in schools on higher ground. 2600 families were driven from their damaged homes, leaving their goods behind to be ruined or to float away. Streets have become rivers, and yards are sewage-infested lakes.

The building of Karen’s program PEDRA was flooded half-a-metre deep. It took days for the girls to salvage and dry the soaked school and sewing materials.

Across our province of Zambezia 16 people died; 132 classrooms are wrecked in whole or part; also bridges, docks, stores, plus many kilometres of washed-out road. One of the web-site photos shows emergency shelters for victims of the floods, cobbled together from bits of reed and plastic.

Across the country 494,000 people are affected, and 2% of the country’s land under cultivation destroyed - a huge blow to Mozambique where 21% of the Gross National Product comes from farmers.

After two consecutive years of drought, now this. Here where most people are subsistence farmers, and almost everyone lives with very little of anything to spare, they depend much more than in Canada on weather. That is, on God; and in times like this people’s faith is being roughly tested, as the lines above from the Psalm express so well.

There is dismay, but not despair. CCM and others are busy with flood relief. At church this Sunday, people brought bags of clothes or what they could spare, to share with those less fortunate. People need food, clean water, tools to rebuild houses, tents or tarpaulins to shelter them till then, medicines for the epidemic of malaria and diarrhea from contaminated water, tools and seeds to re-plant crops, household goods like pans, soap and blankets. Our international friends and partners are helping.

Events like this take years to recover from. We’ll need the prayers of you all.

In mission and service,
Karen and Bill Butt

Click here to see the most recent Letters from Mozambique

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You are invited to an Open House to meet Ed and Sheena Flewelling and  their family on Sunday April 29 from 2-4 pm in the Trinity Auditorium.

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Baptisms at Trinity

On November 19, 2006 we welcomed into the Christian family:

Jordan Nikolay Chilcott, son of Alexandra & Henry Chilcott

The staff of the newsletter apologizes, as this was inadvertently left out of the last newsletter.

Welcome to Trinity, Jordan!

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Thank you, Trinity!

Well, the past four years have been quite a journey!  One thing I have learned for sure is that if you want time to fly, go to graduate school!  I am happy to say that this part of my journey has come to a close.  I am done my studies, research and dissertation, and on March 25, I graduated from Holos University Graduate Seminary with a doctorate in theology (ThD) and a PhD in Energy Medicine.   Along with last year’s ordination into a healing ministry, this completes my formal education for now!  While this officially makes me the Rev. Ann Osborne, ThD, PhD, BSc, I certainly hope that to all of you I will simply be Ann!
I want to thank the Trinity people who have made such a difference along the way, and there were many different ways in which people supported me!  Rev. Lorraine and Rev. Andy, as well as Rev. Tom all encouraged me as I studied.   When it was time for me to do my research, so many of you listened patiently as I sought participants, and lots of our Trinity seniors participated!  Others of you referred prospective participants, helped me to access and speak to appropriate groups of seniors, and suggested places to recruit and put up flyers.  The wonderful members of the Trinity Choir were gracious about my temporary absence.   I so appreciated the smiles and interest showed by so many!   Along with Hal’s unwavering support, and the love of rest of our family, you have enriched my life!

I have been asked to write about my research project, and I offer only a brief summary here – it is hard to condense an entire year into a few paragraphs!  In the next month or so, my entire dissertation will be posted online at http://www.holosuniversity.net/dissertations.asp .  If you are interested in more details, feel free to read it there, or ask me about it!  So ... what was this study, why did I do it, and what did I find out?  Well, the official title of the research project was “The Effects of the Inner Counselor Process© on Anxiety and Depression in Seniors”.  That may look a little different to you than the title on the recruiting material, which was ““The Effects of the Inner Counselor Process© for Peace of Mind and Well-Being of Seniors”.   Actually, the two are addressing the same issue.  Because of the stigma society sometimes attaches to the words anxiety and depression, the terms “peace of mind” and “well-being” were used, since they have been shown to be indicative of an absence or reduction of depression and anxiety.

This study investigated an increasingly important issue in our society – the well-being of our seniors.   Seniors constitute a large and growing portion of society; currently about 12.5 % of Canadians are 65 years of age or older, and the senior population is the only demographic group expected to increase steadily for the next 45 years.   At the crest of the aging of the baby boom generation (those born between 1946 and 1964), 25% of the Canadian population will be 65 years old or older.  While studies indicate that many seniors experience wellness, there are some who do not. Among those who do not are the large number of seniors who experience anxiety and depression. Between 10% and 15% of seniors living in the community show signs of clinical or subclinical depression, with the number rising to about 50% of those in retirement or seniors’ homes.  Reports of prevalence of anxiety in seniors vary from 11.4% to 15%.

Demographic projections indicate that, with the aging of the population, there will be an unprecedented increase in the occurrence of emotional/mental illness among aging persons (especially among the baby boomers) which is expected to have major direct and indirect impacts on general health service use and costs.  In the general population, prescription medication is often the first approach to managing anxiety and depression.  There are difficulties with this approach when dealing with seniors.  Some physicians are reluctant to prescribe medication, the risk of adverse effects is greater in the elderly compared with younger adults, and any side effects that do occur may be less well tolerated.  Research indicates that non-medical treatments may be safer for many older adults. 

This study used The Inner Counselor Process© (the IC Process©) as a non-medical way to address anxiety and depression in seniors.  Although the IC Process© has been used successfully with people of all ages, I chose to work with seniors for this study.  The IC Process© is a creative way to address a range of concerns from ordinary worries to major life issues in order to bring about increased peace of mind and an enhanced sense of well-being.  The IC Process© is not psychotherapy, and the facilitator does not offer solutions to the issues raised.  The approach of the IC Process© is that our greatest asset for healing comes from the “healer within” each of us; it provides people with a way to access their own inner wisdom regarding issues that are important to them, and includes both psychological and spiritual aspects.  During the process, volunteers sit relaxed and comfortable with eyes closed, and are guided by the principle investigator through the fifteen steps that make up the IC Process©.  A process generally takes between 30 and 45 minutes. This process is respectful of all faith traditions. 

One hundred and five seniors from Guelph and area enrolled in the study and 85 completed it.  Each participant experienced two Inner Counselor Processes a week apart, and completed questionnaires and gave feedback (anecdotal information) on 5 different occasions.   When the Data were analysed, this is what we knew:   The measured data do not support the hypothesis that the IC Process© will decrease anxiety and depression in seniors as measured by testing instruments, although a possible effect on anxiety is indicated.  The reason for this is that a large proportion of the participants did not show signs of anxiety and depression to begin with, so there was no possibility of measuring an improvement after the processes.  The best part of this is the wonderful statement it makes about the well-being of the study participants! 

Probably the reason that such a “well” group was accessed for the study was the lack of access to recruiting in nursing homes.  Seniors living in nursing homes have been shown to have higher rates of anxiety and depression than seniors living in the community.  After the study was complete,  I discovered that in early May, at the time when recruiting was commencing, retirement/nursing home operators learned that there would be a new law passed regarding care and protection of seniors in their care.  The new law created much greater responsibility and liability for the home operators.  While home operators did not know exactly what the bill would say in early May, it made them significantly nervous.  With no possibility of recruiting from nursing or retirement homes, recruiting in the community was emphasized, and the number of participants required for the study was reached.  This could explain the “wellness” of the study population, despite the statistics.

However, the anecdotal evidence collected shows that over 90% of the population voluntarily reported that the IC Process© had a positive effect on their lives.  Over 90% of participants made reference to feeling calm, relaxed, and peaceful after their processes, which would seem to be in direct contrast to the restlessness, irritability, and muscle tension that are some of the hallmarks of anxiety in seniors.  About 83.5% of participants indicated that they felt the process was helpful and beneficial, 60% felt that they had resolved a problem, 55% said they felt that they had accessed inner wisdom, and just over 54% made statements indicating that they felt confident or empowered after experiencing the process, which again would seem to be in opposition to the feelings of hopelessness that are strongly linked with depression in seniors.  As a comparison, medicines in these areas are considered helpful if they are effective in about 40% of patients.
An interesting question is, “Did the experience of the IC Process© make a difference in the lives of the participants in these areas?”  Anecdotal information strongly suggests that the answer is “yes.”  While it would have been beneficial to have had the statistical verification of the effects, the information gained anecdotally is valuable!

So ... my studies complete ...  what now?  Well, I am now returning to something I really love to do – working with people!   I work with energy balancing, Therapeutic Touch, Inner Counselor, Spiritual Counselling and various modalities which support health and wellness in body, mind and spirit.  I realize that healing ministries and body/mind/spirit wellness are newer concepts, and may not be well understood by everyone.  If you have questions or comments, please feel free to speak to me – I will welcome that!
Thanks again, Trinity – and know how much I value being a part of this congregation and how much I appreciate all you did to support me through this journey!

Blessings, Ann Osborne

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New Brunswick Ginger Cookies

 - makes 5 dozen

2 cups white sugar                                                 
1 1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup molasses                                                     
2 eggs
4 cups flour
2 tsp cinnamon 
1/1/2 tsp ginger
1 tsp salt
4 tsp baking soda   

Cream shortening and sugar. Beat in molasses and eggs. Sift dry ingredients together and mix into batter. Make small balls and  put on cookie sheet.
(I use parchment paper so cookies will not stick).  Press down with flat bottom of a glass, dipped in sugar before pressing each time.

Bake at 350  for 9 minutes. Cookies will still be very soft. Cool on cookie sheet for a few minutes before placing on a cooling rack.

Enjoy!

Recipe submitted by Cathy Kidston

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God Forgive

God forgive when I resist your plea
To be everything you want me to be.
Help me to follow you, never stray,
Walk beside me, and show me the way.

When e’er worldly treasures blind my eyes
To life’s true riches one can’t disguise.
God, set me back on the path to you,
Let me exalt you in all I do.

Stay with me on my journey of life,
Your arms uphold me through joy and strife.
And at life’s end may I hear you say
“Faithful servant, you have found your way.”



Joyce Martin
© July, 2006

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Calendar notes - Where did those names come from?

Maundy Thursday - April 5, 2007

According to John's gospel, Jesus washed the disciples' feet at the last supper, and the name for this day may come from the Latin word mundo which means "wash." However, most scholars think the name comes from the Latin mandatum (like the English word mandate) referring to John 13:34 where Jesus gave the disciples a new commandment, to love one another.

Good Friday - April 6, 2007

This may seem a rather odd name for the day on which Jesus died. It is probably a contraction of "God's Friday" in a similar way that the word goodbye is a contraction of "God be with ye."

Easter - April 8, 2007

The general assumption is that Easter comes from the old English Eastre who was a pagan goddess of spring, symbolized by a rabbit; hence the Easter bunny. Some scholars, however, believe that the word comes from the German eostarun meaning "dawn," recalling the time of day that the women went to the tomb and the fact that Jesus' resurrection bring a new dawn.

In Eastern churches - Ukrainian, Russian, Greek Orthodox, and others - Easter is referred to as Pascha, coming from the Hebrew word for "Passover" because the first Easter occurred at the time of and in the context of the celebration of Passover. Many people see parallels between Passover and Easter, both being times of God's amazing and miraculous intervention in human history.

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The Kid's Corner

Easter Symbols

Many symbols connect with Easter. Like any symbol, each of these can have different meanings for different people. Look for these symbols around Trinity and in other churches. Notice how they may be made of different materials, different colours, or different shapes. You might want to make your own versions of the symbols.

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A Note From the Editor: Why Wasn’t My Submission Published?

If you submitted something for the newsletter, and it isn’t here, it’s probably due to one of four reasons.

1) Limited Space: I try to keep the newsletter down to a reasonable length, because paper costs money, and each page has to be printed over two hundred times. That’s part of the reason for the smaller print and new format in this newsletter, though I’m hoping a few large print copies will be made available.

2) Inappropriateness: It hasn’t happened yet, but who knows… This is a church newsletter, after all, and the editorial staff and the ministers reserve the right to not include any material that we deem inappropriate, without explanation.

3) Copyright Laws: If you aren’t the author of the piece in question, and the piece is more than a simple joke that’s widely distributed, it probably won’t appear unless you can provide proof that the holder of the copyright has given permission for the piece to be distributed in Trinity Voices specifically, or in church newsletters in general.

4) Canada’s Privacy Laws: These laws forbid us from publishing personal information without a person’s express permission. Events such as baptisms and funerals which are matters of public record are excluded, but birthdays, anniversaries, moves, births, etc., will not be included in the newsletter unless specifically requested by the person involved, or a guardian if the person is a minor. Keep in mind when making such requests that Trinity Voices is now online, and can be viewed by anyone in the world, not just members of Trinity. How public do you want your private affairs to be?

Are my eyes getting worse, or has the type shrunk?

No, your eyes aren’t getting worse. I’m working with a smaller type size because the last issue of Trinity Voices was 44 pages long, and Heather has to photocopy each page of Trinity Voices over 200 times. If you really need the newsletter in a larger font size, leave your name at the office, and I’ll have it for you next week. Or you can view it on line at our website, thanks to the efforts of Ken Chupa.

Hope this helps. If you have any questions or concerns about anything that appears or does not appear in this newsletter, feel free to call or email me.

Blessings, Ruth