Flying beyond our thought-provoking meeting to identify and discuss what we are lamenting about and what we are missing in our life at TLC, it is time to move forward a bit.
Last Sunday, we had the opportunity to reflect and record the blessings that we experience now at TLC. We have posted the thank-you notes to God on the bulletin board by the ramp into the narthex, so we can reflect on the good things that we do have.
Give these blessings some thought as we prepare to do some dreaming on Trinity Sunday, June 4. During worship, we will do some dreaming for Trinity's future. This is all part of listening to God as we seek His way forward for our congregation.
CPR class coming to Trinity
I have had several requests from our members to learn how to use our automatic external defibrillator (AED), which hangs on the wall next to the elevator. This training goes hand-in-hand with learning to administer CPR to an adult and child. I am offering a four-hour course called "HeartSaver," to be taught here at Trinity's Parish Life Center. The plan is to place the mannequins on the tables, because many of us are unable to get down on the floor.
The course will be taught by an instructor from Saint Clare’s CPR Center. The course's regular price is $65, but because of a generous donation by a member of our congregation, you will pay just $35. There is an additional $5 charge if you want to keep the course book, but my experience has been that people bring the book home and never look at it again. You will have the choice, either way.
I am looking at two dates in June. We can accommodate a total of ten people. Please sign up in the narthex as soon as possible so I can secure an instructor. Also, let me know whether one or both dates work for you. When I see which date is best for most people, I will let those who have signed up know the date. If you won’t be at church soon, you may call me to express your interest.
Available dates: Monday, June 19 – 1-5 p.m. or Wednesday, June 28 – 1-5 p.m.
Please join me in becoming a life saver. You will be glad you did!
To Your Health,
Lynn Sienkiewicz, RN
TLC Parish Nurse
Have you ever experienced a tornado firsthand? It is frightening, to say the least. When I taught in Michigan, tornado drills were a common practice with my 32 first graders. One of my classroom walls was glass from ceiling to more than half way down the wall, and my first encounter with a tornado's green-black skies was totally unnerving. It is not uncommon to see powerful storms make their way across the middle of the country in the spring, but the number of tornadoes produced by the March-April 2023 storms was unusual.
Arkansas’s capital, a city of about 205,000 people, saw extensive property damage, particularly on Little Rock's western side, filled with businesses and apartment buildings. The tornado sheared off roofs, shattered storefronts, downed power lines and upended cars. Billy Roehrenbeck, owner of Pulaski County Title Co., a three-story brick building in Little Rock, said 50 employees huddled in a bathroom behind the elevator bank at the front of the building, as the tornado tore through. “The only things that are not touched are the steel, the slab and the glass in the back,” he said. At least 15 people in the state have died as a result of the storm, according to authorities.
In McNairy County, Tennessee alone, seven deaths initially were reported on Saturday. Two more victims were discovered after volunteers and officials conducted door-to-door welfare checks. At least 72 homes were destroyed, McNairy County’s mayor, Larry Smith, said. Fatalities were reported in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. Even now, the people of these states continue to clean up and rebuild their homes and neighborhoods.
Lutheran Disaster Response is right there in the middle of the clean-up, giving aid to those who have lost everything. A donation to Lutheran Disaster Response can help those in need. It is a wonderful way to honor a special mother or father in your life this Mother’s Day or Father’s Day. Please make your check payable to “Trinity Lutheran Church” with the words “Mother’s Day/Father’s Day” on the memo line. If you would like, pick up a little note from the table in the narthex to send to your mom or dad and let them know of your donation. You may also place a monetary donation in the yellow container labeled "Mother's Day/Father's Day" in the narthex.
Thank You,
Sandy Dean and
The Living for Giving Team
Click here to take advantage of an offer from several caring donors to match funds up to $200,000 by June 30 to help hungry children before long-term hunger and malnutrition hurt them permanently.
Dear Family and Friends,
Thank you so much for supporting me on the Great Strides walk for cystic fibrosis (CF). My fundraising goal was $1,000 and I've nearly tripled it, thanks to all of you!
This is a photo of our team taken on Saturday at the zoo in Tampa, people with CF (purple shirts), CF and transplant nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and families.
Much love,
Suzanne (Janet Owen's daughter)
(Suzanne may be seen in the picture's center; she has blonde hair.)
JUNE
8 Suzanne Capps
11 June Gordon
14 Gary Tarantino
17 Lauren Cook
19 Kristine Perry-Schmidt
20 Maira Rogers
24 Colleen McFarland
25 Michael Bruno
26 Jody Seidel
27 George Seidel
28 Jane Kraus
29 Earl Baderschneider
30 Joe Janzen
Let's Talk About Affordable Housing: Highlights of this week's advocacy topic:
Rev. Sara Lilja begins by launching a video created by LEAMNJ (Lutherans Engaging in Advocacy Ministry in New Jersey). The theme is the mandate to love our neighbor. A study guide is available.
This video might spark further conversations with members of our congregation. Voice your interest.
Take action
Register if you would like to join LEAMNJ in Trenton on Thursday, June 15 for an Affordable Housing Legislative Day. Breakfast and lunch will be served.
Email your federal legislators asking them to support the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act.
Resources: Click the links to learn more about...
New Jersey Affordable Housing successes
The White House initiative to reduce homelessness 25% by 2025
Mental Health services in New Jersey's homeless shelters
Hot Topics: Links to two criminal justice efforts
You will recognize Pastor Lilja in the video as she leads us more deeply into the New Jersey affordable housing topic. You might be interested in registering to attend the Affordable Housing Legislative Day in Trenton. Each of us can be an advocate for the most important affordable housing challenge we face, either in person or by emailing our legislators. Be an advocate and let us pray for those who seek shelter for themselves and their families. Click here to read more.
Sandy Dean
If you would like someone added to or deleted from our prayer list, please let Kathy McFarland know by Wednesday. Thank you.
Trinity members Marion Holtzman
Friends and family of TLC members
Bonnie McDonald (Darleen Wawroski's friend)
Michelle Patten (Julie Sauder's friend)
Barbara Shuttle and Edith Gamba (Charlie Haas's friends)
Joe Tarantino (Gary Tarantino's brother)
Pastor Bob Kriesat (Mabel Roy and Linda Gallup's friend)
Gary Knodler and Scott Moser (Donna Hopping's friends)
Sue Nobelman (Carol Johnson's friend)
Gene Cutler (Becky Wawroski's friend)
Ray Fullam (Carol Johnson's friend)
Laura (Elaine and Gary Tarantino's friend) Becky Lilja (Rev. Sara Lilja's sister)
Barbara Houser (Neil Holtzman’s sister)
Day of Pentecost May 28, 2023 Sunday's worship service will be in-person and online. Remember to wear red!
Rev. Fred Becker, Pastor (pastor@tlcnj.org) Kathy McFarland, Church Administrator (office@tlcnj.org) Katie Serbeck, Technology and Social Media Coordinator
(serbeckk1@gmail.com) Lynn Sienkiewicz, RN, Parish Nurse
Julie Sauder, Organist
Kevin Seidel, Choir Director
Ralph Gonzalez, Sexton
Judy Miller, Executive Director of Faith Kitchen
