I trust that you and your family and friends are safe and healthy and that you are taking the current restrictions in stride. One of the challenges of this time is not being able to be with our loved ones on special holidays. My mother’s birthday is close to Easter, so if you add Mothers’ Day to that, she will miss being with her family on three key holidays in one month.
I want to say a special word of gratitude to all the mothers connected to our congregation. My three sisters and I have been blessed to have had two wonderful parents who gave of themselves unselfishly to the health and wellbeing of our family for decades. When I think of all the great memories we share, I am moved with deep gratitude for all the birthdays, holidays, vacations, graduations, weddings, church events, back yard cookouts, and anniversaries we shared through the years. I hope you have those good memories too.
I suspect most of you will not be able to be physically present with your mother this week, but I do hope that you will be able to reach out and connect electronically and express how much you care about each other. And if your mother is no longer with us, I hope you will say a special prayer of thanksgiving for all the love and support she gave you through the years.
Most images in the Bible for God are masculine. Indeed, Jesus taught us to say “Our Father” when we pray the Lord’s Prayer. But as he looked over Jerusalem a few days before his crucifixion, Jesus said, “How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings …” and Isaiah compared Israel’s relationship to God as a child being nursed by its mother. So let us give thanks for the special ways in which mothers nurture their children, build families, and make so many valuable contributions to society. And let us give thanks for Nancy Elder and all the mothers who have helped our children present our annual Mothers’ Day musicals in worship through the years. Our online worship on Sunday will include our chancel choir and children's choir singing together a previously recorded anthem. I can’t wait to see it!
Speaking of anniversaries, last Sunday was the 53rd anniversary of the founding of our congregation by Granville Presbytery in 1967. We weren't able to be together to celebrate that with a great picnic, but I am grateful to the pioneers who answered God’s call to organize a new church in this part of Raleigh. And I am particularly grateful to have served as your pastor and friend for most of those years. I want to thank you for your generosity and for all you do to support our church. May God be with you and your family in the days to come. I look forward to the time when we can be together again!
All in-person church activities - services, meetings, programs - remain suspended until further notice. We celebrate the initiative and energy of our youth advocates as PK and our youth continue to connect on Zoom.
Please know that Trinity's elders, deacons, and staff are praying for you, your loved ones, and your friends as we all stay home to help ease the burden on our hospitals, urgent care centers, and their medical and support staff. If you should have a need you'd like to share, please email David or the church office.
Meghan and Mike Swan are expecting their second child in the fall. We're delighted to hear such good news for this young family.
Ralph Everett's foot surgery went well; please pray for comfort while healing, and a speedy recovery, too.
Please pray for a full and swift recovery for Lisa Baildon’s sister, Jeanette Fryer, who is hospitalized in Gastonia.
Sharon Powell, a long-time member of Trinity, has lost an uncle, Samuel Jackson, Sr., and a cousin, Evelyn Everett, to the coronavirus. Please keep Sharon and her family in your prayers in this time of deep sadness.
Anne Liddicote's sister-in-law, Stacey Tranfo, lost her mother, Marilyn Markham, to the coronavirus in Maryland. May God’s comforting, healing hand be upon their family.
As we continue to pay the church's unchanging monthly obligations, we remain sincerely grateful for your giving. Your faithfulness, generosity, and helpfulness are more than appreciated! As a staff note, Virginia continues to check the mail (and voicemail) daily as she is able.
We recognize that for many people this is an uncertain time, and know that you may not be working the hours you used to work. If you find yourself in a difficult position and would like to request financial assistance from the church, please write a confidential email to David.
Virginia and her husband (aka Super Hubby) have been hiking parts of the Mountain to Sea trail during this time of social distancing. What have you been doing? Watching Netflix? Puzzles? Baking? Working? Planting? Eating? lol
