TRINITY
Volume 71, Number 12
Duluth, Minnesota
December 2015
Pastor’s Column
Jerome Evavold
“ CHRISTMAS GIVING”
There is something about
giving at Christmas time
that feels good. Shopping
for gifts for family always
feels good. It is especially fun to watch kids
and grandkids open gifts at Christmas. It’s a
tradition that most of us grew up with. Of
course, we can go overboard with that too.
The Christmas I remember most as a child
happened when I was 10 years old.
Last year, we had a wonderful response to our
church through the CHRISTMAS GIVING
TREE. Our church council is hoping to see a
response like that again this year. Information will be coming out on that soon.
A second rewarding Christmas giving response is available through the Good Gifts
Program of the ELCA. We are fortunate to
have this opportunity of giving through the
ELCA which applies 90% of the giving to
World Hunger and other projects of the
ELCA. Only 10% goes toward administration cost.
I had been sick and my parents brought me to
the doctor in the evening and I was rushed to
the hospital in Fergus Falls for an emergency
appendectomy. At that time you didn’t get
out of the hospital the next day. I was in the
hospital for 10 days and was sent home on
Christmas Eve.
For example, you can buy a chick for $10, a
pig for $30 and a goat for $50. We have the
free catalogues available in the narthex at
church. Feel free to take one. It’s a great program and we thank God for the opportunity to
be part of it. You can get further information
from https://www.elca.org/goodgifts .
The gifts that year I will never forget. My
older brothers were away, two of them were
in college. They came home and I remember
getting a wood burning set and a chemistry
set among other things. I was spoiled that
year and I loved it.
These opportunities not only make us feel
good, but we can imagine God feeling good
to see us caught up in the ministry God calls
us to.
Now, it seems the Biblical verse, “It is more
blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35)
seems to be so true. It is fun and rewarding
to buy gifts for other people.
HAVE A BLESSED ADVENT AND
CHRISTMAS SEASON!
It is also rewarding to give gifts to God
through the ministry of the church. As a
church, we see a great giving response from
our church family at Christmas.
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Worship
ONE SERVICE AT 10 a.m. EACH Sunday from
November 29th through January 2016.
December 6 Worship will be led again by
Heaven Bound Trio.
December 13 51st Annual Prelude to Christmas
Musical Worship Service featuring choirs and
Sunday School with lots of special music. Also
Holy Communion will be served on that Sunday.
Seasonal choir rehearsals for December will be as
follows:
December 20 Advent Jazz Service featuring Ray
Aiken and Frank Garcia. This will also include a
service of healing.
Sunday, Dec. 6 - 9 a.m. rehearsal downstairs
Saturday, Dec. 12, 10 a.m. rehearsal downstairs
Sunday, Dec. 13 - 9 a.m. rehearsal downstairs
December 24 CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES AT
Sunday, Dec. 20 - 9 a.m. rehearsal downstairs
4 p.m. and 1O p.m.
December 27 One service at 10 a.m.
January 3, 2016 One service at 10 a.m.
The Giving Tree is being brought to you by the Stewardship and Worship Teams
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Worship
Hadley Quinn Kregness will be
baptized Sunday, November 29th..
Her parents are Kelly and Brian
Kregness. Sponsors are Jennifer and
Brett Kolquist. Welcome to the
Trinity family, Hadley!
Seth Kamden Robertson was
baptized on Sunday, November 15th at
Trinity. Seth is a 5th Grader. His mother is Theresa Robertson. His sponsor
was Theresa Fox. Welcome to the
Trinity family, Seth!
Trinity Gatherings
TRINITY TRAVELERS
Trinity’s 51st Annual
Musical Prelude to
Christmas Worship Service
December 13, 2015
10:00 am
will be meeting for lunch at 1 pm
Tuesday, December 15th at Red Lobster in
Canal Park. Everyone is invited to join us.
Sunday School Children will be
singing and providing special
music
Pie and Polka Service
Nov. 29 - 10am
Seasonal Choir will be
performing
We will be serving pie following our Polka worship service on Nov. 29. Thank you to everyone
who donated a pie.
Pot Luck Meal to Follow
Everyone welcome
Bring your
family and friends
Cutlery and Specialty Items For Sale
Check out the table downstairs following the worship service for some
Christmas gifts.
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Witness Beyond
WITNESS BEYOND/ CREATION CARE
REPORT
submitted by K athy Johanson
WITNESS BEYOND
LSS Duluth Ambassador's Meeting
On Thursday, November 5th, I attended the LSS
Ambassador's Meeting in the Ordean Building. We heard an update on the Center for Changing Lives. To date roughly 8 million dollars have
been collected for the Center for Changing
Lives. This leaves approximately 1.5 million to
raise.
Robin Maxwell Pestalozzi reported on the LSS
Celebration for Changing Lives in Minneapolis. She was most impressed by the 150 Great
Neighbors that were identified. I have already
covered this in the November ECHO report. Enough said!
interest rate - offering simplicity and peace of
mine. They have an 85% success rate!
Pick what works for you. In person, phone, or
online. Call 888.577.2227 or visit ConquerYourDebt.org.
DINNERS AT LSS RENAISSANCE
On Thursday, November 19, I shared dinner with
the youth at Renaissance. This is the group that
does this monthly. We are trained mentors from
First Lutheran, Gloria Dei and Trinity. This is
always something that the youth look forward to.
On Sunday, December 6, Trinity's Witness Beyond Team is serving a huge dinner for the
youth. We are hoping to deliver MANY GIFT
CARDS to Lynn Gerlach-Collard on that evening. She will make them stocking stuffers for
their Christmas morning! WITNESS BEYOND
In October LSS took 28 adults on an immersion
TEAM INVITES YOU TO SHARE THE JOY OF
excursion to Bethany Crisis Shelter. They pitched
CHRISTMAS WITH THESE HOMELESS
in and helped with many projects and took a tour
YOUTH BY PURCHASING A GIFT CARD
of the shelter. Those who participated learned
FOR THEM. Any amount for any place in Dumuch!
luth would be very much appreciated! Thank you
in advance for your help!
Our speaker was Elaina Johannessen. She is a
financial counseling person for LSS. She exMARK YOUR CALENDAR
plained the impressive FREE program in deMark your calendars for the 2016 Homeless
tail. Their Duluth office is on the 6th floor of the
Youth Luncheon at Greysolon Ballroom. Baring
Ordean Building. LSS has been providing this
any unforeseen problems, I'm planning on being a
service to people since 1987. The program is recTable Captain for this event again next year. It is
ommended by Minnesota's Attorney General as a
very enlightening and free. But it is a fundraiser
safe, free, trusted, individualized, confidential
for LSS also.
service for all ages. They help over 10,000 families a year in 10 locations. Jerome has placed fliCHUM NEWS
ers and small wallet sized cards in the narthex for
Five members of Trinity (Jerome Evavold, Shivon
your convenience.
Miller, Jamie Zak, Sherry Rushing and Kathy Johanson) attended the CHUM Fall Assembly evenYou can consider your options - for free with cering meeting on Tuesday, November 10th at Glen
tified counselors who will help you develop an
Avon Presbyterian Church. I also delivered 4 dozindividual plan of action. Whether it's debt, creden home made bars and cookies, courtesy of Bonit, money management or reaching financial
nie Ling for the social time before
goals. They are there to help. They have a Debt
the assembly. The speaker was Lisa Sharon HarManagement Plan that consolidates your debts
per. The topic was "Peace, Poverty & Race". She
into one monthly payment - often with a lower
4
Witness
Witness Beyond
Beyond
laid the foundations for the biblical concept of shalom in Genesis 1-3 and mined it's implications on
public policy and human flourishing. Harper is from Sojourner's. My sister Sherry Rushing purchased her book which was on sale at the assembly.
CHUM HOLIDAY CONCERT
If you can make it to St. Michael's Catholic Church (4901 East Superior Street) do attend the CHUM
Holiday Concert. It starts at 7pm. Let me know if you need a ride! I wouldn't miss it!
CHUM CHURCH CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
The Christmas Pageant for CHUM Church will be on December 13th from 4pm to 5:15pm. As always, it will be held at Peace Church which is where CHUM Church is held every month. CHUM
invites you to attend!
A CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR FAR AWAY
If you do not receive an ELCA Good Gifts Catalog in your home mail, look for one in Trinity's narthex this holiday season. We are ordering some. You can help people far away by buying an animal,
etc. as a Christmas gift. There are some very reasonable options!
LSS CRISIS NURSERY DECEMBER DIAPER DRIVE
During the month of December the LSS Duluth Crisis Nursery is holding its annual diaper drive. The
goal is 40,000 diapers. The sizes most needed are 4,5,and 6. If you bring them to Trinity, I will deliver them. Thank you in advance for your support of this much needed event!
Stewardship
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Witness Within
Sunday School Schedule
Sunday, December 6 at 9am – Sunday School
“Prelude to Christmas” Rehearsal in the Gym
This year, the traditional year in our rotation, Sunday School children will join in the “Prelude to
Christmas”. We will be singing a song with the
Adult Choir and leading the congregation in the
song “Prince of Peace”. Children will be wearing
t-shirts with letters and "spelling out" the names
for Jesus throughout the worship on Dec.13. There
will be drums, streamers, twinkling lights, and
other fun props and parts. We will also need readers. If your child would like to be involved please
let Shivon know. We need to know what size tshirt your child typically wears and whether or not
they would also like a reading role.
Saturday, December 12 at 10am – Sunday School
“Prelude to Christmas” Rehearsal in the Sanctuary
followed by pizza lunch and Birthday cake for
Jesus.
Sunday, December 13:
9am Sunday School Gathering in the
Meeting Room
10am “Prelude to Christmas” Worship
Sunday, December 20 – 9am Sunday School Pajama Party
Thursday, December 24 at 4pm –
Children involved in the Christmas Eve Worship
Tuesday, December 29 Vacation Bible School
Winter Fun Day – 9am-Noon
Return to last summer’s “Everest Adventure”
AND get excited about “Cave Quest” coming up
the summer of 2016. It will be a morning full of
music, games, crafts and VBS fun. Please register
by emailing Shivon – [email protected]
Sunday, December 27 – No Sunday School
Sunday, January 3 – No Sunday School
Advent Family Devotions: Families ar e invited
to pick up devotional story and activity books in
the church entry. Take time in your home to
pause, gather together and celebrate the reason for
the season.
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Property
A few years ago, Trinity purchased a new
phone system since the old one was barely
working. With the new system, came a
maintenance contract for the hardware.
That maintenance agreement has just expired, so it was decided it was time to renew for another year. We should be covered for any hardware problems until next
November 18th.
the dishwasher. Apparently, there is a water leak when the washer is being used, and
it sprays all over the floor. Yesterday, I
was nosing around down there, and found
some ‘dead sea scrolls’ that are the manuals for the system. Once I copy the manuals (in order to keep them from disintegrating in my hands) I will be looking through
them to find out if there is a gasket to replace, then the hunt begins for finding
someone that can supply one. More to
come on this one, but in the meantime, be
careful walking around the front of the
washer when it’s in use…or maybe we can
just put some indoor plants there so they
get watered?
As some of you may know, over the past
month, there have been a couple back-ups
in Trinity’s basement. Of course, they occurred during high use times for the
Church. I think the second time there was
a wedding, a funeral, and two Halloween
parties that day!! We had the sewer guy
out a couple times before we corralled the
problem. He had to end up putting the
drain snake down close to 85 feet to make
sure that everything was clear. Hopefully
we won’t have those issues again!
Over the years, we have been nursing a
problem with the pneumatic door closer on
the avenue door. Well, last week, we received a call that the closer wasn’t working
again. Enough is enough…we called in
Northern Door to either repair it once and
Back in June there was a water leak disfor all, or replace it. The closer was so old
covered in our ceiling up in the balcony.
that there were no parts available, so they
Since then, we have been working with
ended up replacing it. Hopefully, we won’t
various contractors, Insurance adjusters,
be having issues with it for quite some
and Insurance Companies in order to get an time!
equitable resolution to cover the cost of the
repair. I am currently waiting a call from A couple of weeks ago, I received a call
our Insurance Company to discuss the lat- from Trinity and we discussed some securiest iteration. I am hoping that this one will ty scenarios. Long story short (I know,
be the last.
hard to believe, isn’t it?) I stopped by to fix
a couple of door locks, and place a padlock
If you have walked through the kitchen
on a potential hiding place door. We
lately, you may have noticed there is a
should be good to go now!
strange piece of aluminum foil in front of
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Property
Over the past couple of weeks, I have received a few calls regarding the temperature in the Church. I stopped down to the
furnace before the Council meeting this
week, and did a little snooping around. As
I was checking things out, I remembered
that we suffer from this fate every year
about this time. Apparently, the temperature control system that was installed several years ago, with its sensors outside, on the
stem lines and in each room, get “confused” when the outside temp is around 40
to 45 degrees, and this year is no exception.
I DID also find that the timer for the system was an hour off (Daylight savings
time) so I adjusted it to the correct time.
Let us know if your fingertips start turning
blue in the next couple of weeks, and we
will dig deeper.
I submitted an application to the City of
Duluth to create a handicapped parking
spot across the Street from the Church.
There are spots in front of the Church on
the same side as the Church, but not across
the street. So apparently, people with
handicap stickers have only been able to
park in front every other week (Calendar
parking) I have been told that the process
usually takes about 2 months, and includes
a vote by the City Council, but I will let
you know what I hear. If you know your
City Councilor, you may want to put in a
good word…
Last week we received a surprise inspection from the Fire marshal for the Church.
Although I have yet to receive the inspection report, the preliminary verbal report is
that we passed with only a couple minor
Last week, I had a short discussion with a comments. As soon as I receive the report,
member of the Congregation regarding the I will let you all know the actual comfurnace. Even though there is nothing
ments.
wrong with the furnace that we know of,
we both decided that maybe we should get That’s about it for now! I hope you all
a couple of estimates for what it would cost have a great Thanksgiving, and can share
to replace the furnace…not that we plan to the day with your friends and family!
do this, but so we all know what the cost
might be. I will begin that work, and let
Thank you all for your continued support
you know what I find out.
of the Property Board’s work. It’s when we
all pitch in, great things can happen!
The projector that Trinity purchased years
ago, finally had its bulb burn out. I have
Respectfully submitted,
been told that the bulb lasted 15 years! We Eric Skadsberg
certainly got our money’s worth! I reProperty Chair
placed the bulb, and also found out there is
an air filter that needs to be cleaned periodically, which may extend the bulb’s life!
8
Finance
The Meatball Dinner Fundraiser was held on
Thursday, November 5th this year. We had our
most successful event ever, serving over 150 people, many who were non-members. The chapel
was full, and over 60 to-go meals were served.
MEMORIALS:
A gift to the Ministries of Trinity Lutheran
Church, in memory of SONYA MORRIS from
Jim and Doris Thorsen
A gift to the Endowment fund from Jan Culliton
in memory of her husband, RAY CULLITON
There were so many who helped with this dinner,
from preparing the food, to serving, setting up,
cleaning up, bringing cakes for the dessert, decorating, selling tickets, washing dishes, etc. We
have it down to a science, and are already planning next year’s dinner. Thank you to all who
helped, it would be difficult to put this event on
without all of you. We raised $1292.14 for the
General Fund.
A gift to the Ministries of Trinity Lutheran
Church in memory of Gundars mother, MAIJA
STUMBRIS
We are receiving pledges and time & talent sheets
back from our members, and are in the process of
recording the results. So far, 26 pledges have
been received, (9 Simply Givers) for a total of
$61,718 pledged for 2016. This is a big help in
planning our new budget.
BOX SCORE through November 15, 2015
Offering envelopes will be available soon, and
again I will assign only to those who want the box
of envelopes. If you do not want one, a number
will be provided to you so all of you giving is recorded. Thank you all for your continued support
to the Ministries of Trinity.
Budgeted YTD
210,076.48
Actual giving YTD
190,464.32
Shortfall
Thank you received from Animal Allies Humane Society.
Dear friends. We would like to acknowledge the receipt of donations gathered
at your Blessing of the Animals. Your in-kind donations of items to be used for
animal care will help keep shelter dogs and cats comfortable and healthy this
winter! The donations were delivered by Beatrice Wenck and Gail Hosking.
Your support, along with the support of our community, allows Animal Allies
Humane Society to ensure a lifetime of loving care for every pet by reducing
pet overpopulation, increasing adoption and fostering humane values.
Thank you for your dedication to our mission,
Lindsay Snustad, Executive Director
9
$ (19,612.16)
Birthdays
John Clark
Paul Runnoe
Jason Miller
Brianna Betts
Noelle Berkelman
Patricia Christensen
Gloria Walkowiak
Jim McIntosh
Therese Johnson
Ruth Anderson
December 5th
December 9th
December 11th
December 13th
December 17th
December 17th
December 20th
December 23rd
December 24th
December 31st
Merry Christmas and Happy
New Year to All
from the office staff of
Trinity Lutheran Church
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Community News
Help for Camp Vermilion
Camp Vermilion needs the support of
our congregation. Your gift helps
keep the camp going and provides
the best camping experience for
people of all ages. Your monetary gift
to he camp is also an investment in our youth.
In your envelope box is a pink envelope marked
“Camp Vermilion.” Please consider using it or
place cash or check in an envelope marked
“Camp Vermilion” or in the memo on the check.
Camp Vermilion is counting on Trinity.
Trinity Staff
Pastor
Jerome Evavold
[email protected]
Minister of
Congregational Life
Shivon Miller
[email protected]
Organist
Judy Arnold
Treasurer/Financial Secretary
Kathy Gilbertson
[email protected]
Secretary
Aine Merrill
[email protected]
Live-in Caretaker &
Custodian
Andrew Fleisch
Building Use/Wedding
Coordinator
Naydean Ringdahl
[email protected]
Publisher
Eileen Nelson
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TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH
1108 East Eighth Street
Duluth, Minnesota 55805
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Duluth, MN
Permit No. 889
Sunday Worship Schedule
ONE SERVICE AT 10:00 AM THOUGH JANUARY 2016
Communion is served on the first and third Sundays.
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.tlcduluth.org
Phone: (218)724-9369
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