Easter is full of Bible Stories of Jesus becoming visible to his disciples, by a tomb, in a house, on a road, at a meal, by the shore.
When Pastor Raquel and I are out in the community at different meetings and gatherings, people often ask us what church we serve. When we do tell them, we generally get one of two responses. Many people have some kind of historic family connection to La Trinidad. They will say something like, "Oh yes, my aunt attended that church and we went there as youth or children."
Other neighbors, including many United Methodists, have little knowledge of our church and cannot even recall it when I tell them where we are located and ask me things like "Do you have services in English?" and "Is it safe to park there?" To these people, we have become invisible.
Located on a major highway near UTSA, we often take for granted that we are visible. Visibility requires more than curb appeal and open minds, hearts, and doors. We become visible when we intentionally engage our neighbors the spaces where they move, live, and work. This engagement must be both relevant and consistent with our mission, expressed in a spirit of friendship, hospitality, solidarity and courageous witness around the issues and struggles people face. In today's world, that happens in both physical spaces and "online" spaces.
As a congregation, we continue to make intentional and significant progress in community engagement. The ministries and witness of La Trinidad have been featured in local television news media. Recent church visitors, including tourists visiting San Antonio, say that they found our congregation by searching on the Internet and visiting our website. Our services are carried live on YouTube and are viewed by individuals around the world, at work, in hospitals and in homes. Hundreds of people, ranging from new and long time residents to elected officials and community leaders have recently encountered our church through community events and programs hosted at La Trinidad. Working together with others has strengthened our effectiveness and efficiency in ministry while significantly expanding the circle of our social engagement. Our partnerships with community institutions support our historic mission of strengthening individuals and families through discipleship, education, and advocacy.
At the same time, however, we learn from the example of Jesus that there is also no substitute for a visible human presence. We are a visible community, and through relationships, we reach out, share prayer, testimony, and service while inviting others to share in God's grace and gospel hope.
Que Dios los bendiga,
Rev. John Feagins
Church Anniversary
Next Sunday, May 6, is the 142nd anniversary of continuous ministry for La Trinidad UMC. Due to activities downtown related to the San Antonio 300 Celebration, the church will not be meeting for breakfast at Mi Tierra Restaurant. Breakfast will be served in the gymnasium at the regular time (beginning around 8 AM), and the 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00 AM communion services will be held in the church Sanctuary. Please support our breakfast ministry with your love offerings.
Mother's Day Serenata
May 13
La Trinidad will be honoring our mothers on Sunday May 13 at all three services, with guest musicians accompanying the choir at the 11 AM service where mothers will be honored with a genuine Serenata Mexicana.
Youth Ministry Free Tickets for Youth Orchestra of San Antonio May 6th Performance, 8:00 p.m. at the Tobin Center - Call the church office (210) 227-0546 to let us know how many people are in your party. You can pick up tickets at the church office on Friday, May 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or from Pastor Raquel on Sunday morning, May 6. The YOSA Philharmonic joins in San Antonio’s Tricentennial celebration, as Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms brings together choirs from different faith traditions in an uplifting collaborative performance. Falla’s Spanish Dance No. 1 looks forward to YOSA’s summer concert tour to Spain and the Canary Islands, before Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 closes out the concert season triumphantly.
New Bible Study on Tuesdays from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.- This past month, our youth ministry expanded to offer Bible studies on Tuesdays. We have around twelve youth participating in this weekly opportunity. Iris and Manuel Chavez lead youth in a fun-filled time with life lessons that youth can apply to their daily lives. All youth are welcome to participate.
Youth Events
On April 7, youth volunteered with SAMM ministries by sorting donated items for use by needy families in transitional living. On April 22, they also participated in and provided the meal at the Cesar Chavez Memorial Service. On May 6, youth will attend the Youth Orchestra of San Antonio performance at the Tobin Center.
Sunday School
Youth are reading through the Gospel of Mark under the guidance of Mr. David Sonnen. They are learning to delve into the Scriptures as a spiritual discipline that will guide them throughout their lives. All youth are encouraged to attend Sunday School and grow in their faith as they learn with other youth about this Gospel. Sunday School meets weekly in the Conference room from 9:45 – 10:45 a.m.
Confirmation
Our Spring Confirmation class has three students who will be confirmed on May 20th. Students are learning the basics of the Christian faith, the importance of the sacraments of baptism and communion, the distinctiveness of the United Methodist Church, and the expectations of membership in a United Methodist congregation. Confirmation classes will be offered again in the Fall. Please contact Pastor Raquel with questions.
May 27thGraduation Sunday and Baccalaureate Service
We will honor our LT graduates during the 11:00 a.m. service on Sunday, May 27. On that same day, we will have a community Baccalaureate Service at 5:00 p.m. to honor LT graduates and friends in our community. Everyone is invited to bring their favorite dish to share with others after the service.
Safe Gatherings
La Trinidad UMC is committed to the highest ethical standards regarding relationships between ministerial staff, volunteers, children, youth, and vulnerable adults. One expression of this commitment is our participation in the Río Texas Conference Trusted Con Confianza Safe Gatherings program.
Safe Gatherings provides essential training on how to avoid the risk of abuse, establishing expectations that strengthen accountable, ethical, and professional relationships of integrity between those who serve and those who are served. The program also provides a framework for background checks and an accountable certification process.
To apply to volunteer in a ministry with children, youth, or vulnerable adults at La Trinidad UMC, please create an account at safegatherings.com, complete the online training, then attend an in-person training or webinar. Cost is $10.50 for the basic training and an aditional $10.50 if you will be transporting children or vulnerable adults. Please contact Ms. Valerie Mendoza, the La Trinidad UMC Compliance Officer, or associate pastor Raquel Feagins, with any questions.
Ms. Mendoza will be leading an in-person training for Safe Gatherings will be at St. Paul UMC (San Antonio), May 26, from 9 AM - 11 AM. The online training must be completed prior to participation.
See the link below for additional training opportunities.
Dr. Rachel Yvonne Cruz joined the La Trinidad ministry staff on Easter Sunday, bringing gifts of intergenerational teaching, a love for people and diverse music styles, and experience leading choral and sacred music.
Dr. Cruz is meeting Wednesday evenings with singers and instumentalists ages 13 and up to organize and rehearse music ensembles for both the 9:45 Spanish service and the 11:00 AM Worship service.
Rehearsal for the 9:45 (Spanish) Sunday service is at 6 PM on Wednesday, and rehearsal for the 11:00 Sunday service is at 7:00 PM Wednesdays. Bring your voice. Bring your friends. Bring your favorite instruments. Bring your ideas. Creative, fun times lie ahead!
Vacation Bible School
The 2018 La Trinidad Vacation Bible School "Rolling River Rampage" is scheduled for 5:30 - 8:00 PM from July 30 - August 4. Volunteers are needed to help plan, organize, and teach. To help with this year's VBS, please contact children's coordinator Clarissa Rivera or associate pastor Pastor Raquel Feagins.
United Methodist Women
Please pray for our La Trinidad delegation to National Assembly, Columbus Ohio, Friday, May 18 through Sunday, May 20. Iris Chavez, Abigail Gutierrez, Minerva Briones, Elva Garza, Agapita Nuñez.
United Methodist Men
Sunday, May 6, 9:00AM, Gym, Contact: Ismael (Smiley) Nava, 210-995-7151.
Little Roadrunners
Little Roadrunners, the evening children's program for families attending evening classes at UTSA Downtown has completed its first semester and will be in recess until the fall semester. Many thanks to Ruth Alonso, Laura Hidalgo, Minerva Briones, Dani Salinas and the Parents Raising Children student organization, Lisa Blazer and Staff at UTSA, and all our contributors, volunteers, parents and children who made this a successful first semester.
La Trinidad Hosts Cesar Chavez Service
La Trinidad UMC recently hosted a Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving for the life of Cesar Chavez on the 25th anniversary of his death. This service welcomed over 100 participants from the community and was covered in local media.
The guest book for this service will be sent to the Chavez family. If you would like to include your own name in the guest book, you may sign it during our Sunday services.
Construction Notice
Several construction projects are underway to finish out space in the sublevel and sanctuary areas of the church to improve air conditioning, duct work, storage, work and utility spaces. Please do not disturb the areas marked off while construction is underway. Thank you.
Emmaus
Rev. Raquel Feagins is serving on the spiritual director's team for Río Texas Women's Walk #3, May 17-20 at Camp Capers, about 1/2 hour from San Antonio. If you are interested in the Emmaus Retreat experience, please contact Pastor Raquel at pastorraquel@latrinidadchurch.com
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