The Tower________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Vol. 18, No. 4 Trinity United Methodist Church, Iron Mountain, MI www.imtrinity.org December 2018

United Methodist Women’sChristmas Dinner, Thursday, December 6,

5:30 p.m. Sign up by December 3.

Children’s Christmas Programand the Praise Band,

Sunday, December 9 at the 10:30 service

Choir Christmas Program‘Gather at the Manger,’

Sunday, December 16 at the 10:30 service

Community Meals will continue Wednesdays at 5:00 p.m. throughout the season.

Christmas Eve Worship, Monday, December 245:00 and 8:00 p.m. worship services

The nursery will be staffed at both services.

December 23 and December 3010:30 worship only

NO 8:00 worship those days.

Joy to the World…There is no tragedy that God can’t comfort.

No sadness God can’t cure. No disaster God can’t turn into an

opportunity for new life and growth. At this December time,

please take a minute to remember the beauty, the hope, the truth

and the love that God provides for us all.

In the name of Jesus…Blessed Christmas to all.

Pastor Geri

Jubilee Prayer for DecemberJesus, gift of God. Seasons come and seasons go…

You endure forever. Churches ebb and flow…

You endure forever. Our lives may freeze up or they may grow…

You endure forever. Your presence with us is the best Christmas

present of them all! We give thanks and honor to You always. Amen.

United Methodist Women’s Christmas Dinner is Thursday, December 6 in the Fellowship Hall. Gathering is at 5:30, and dinner is at 6:00. Cost is $10.50, all inclusive, and payable at the door. The menu includes chicken breasts with mushrooms and gravy, garlic mashed potatoes, salad, and dessert. All women of the church are welcome. Sign up on the clipboard in the Gathering Room by Monday, December 3.

“Thanks to all you kind, generous people who took tags from the Salvation Army Angel tree on December 18. These families will

have a special Christmas because of you. You are God’s angels here on earth. Thank you again, and may you have a blessed Christmas.” A Poinsettia Festivity: Join in on this fun and festive activity! In addition to the Paper Poinsettia fundraiser that is being offered, there has been interest in having poinsettias for the altar. Beginning December 9, we plan to decorate the altar with poinsettias purchased by members of the congregation.

Let’s fill up the altar by December 23 with a beautiful display of fresh and artificial poinsettia plants in an array of different colors and sizes. Mark your plants with your name, and they can be taken home after Christmas Eve services.

The Finance Committee and Church Council wish to express their gratitude to all who contributed to the recent boiler repair fundraiser. Because of the generosity of those who gave to repair the boilers, the expenses for those repairs were completely covered, and no funds from the Bleecker endowment distributions had to be used.

The Finance Committee and Church Council would also like to express gratitude to the United Methodist Women for their contribution of $2,000 to reduce the balance of the loan taken out to cover operating expenses. Once again, the ladies of UMW come through in support of the church they serve so well. Thank you, UMW.

Lydia Circle’s Christmas Luncheon will be Thursday, December 13 at noon at Holiday Kitchen.

The 13th Month CampaignOne extra month of giving before the end of the year.

Special envelopes are in the pews and in this Tower.

Please join the 13th Month Campaign.

Thank you!

In order to have it listed on your 2018 giving statement, please be sure your offering is at the church by Sunday morning, December 30.

New MembersOn Sunday, October 28, the congregation at Trinity UMC welcomed three new members into our church.  

Jeremiah Garrigues-Cortelyou has been involved with our music program for more than a year and is currently our co-choir director with Emily Ritsema. We appreciate his beautiful voice and the life-long experience of being a United Methodist…he has had experience representing youth at the Annual Conference meetings in the past. He teaches at Kingsford High School during the school year and spends his summers at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. Welcome, Jeremiah!

Heidi and Jerry Harwell also come to us with many years of experience within United Methodist Churches—in various places around the state of Michigan like the Traverse Bay area and in Escanaba. They currently live in Felch with their two dogs and many flower beds and vegetable gardens. We have already enjoyed the ‘fruits’ of their labors with baskets of apples they shared with us earlier in the fall. Heidi is a talented porcelain doll artist, and Jerry is patiently building up a Praise Team at Trinity…he plays the drums and knows his way around a sound system! Heidi works in the IT Department at the VA Hospital, and Jerry works from home as a claims adjuster for AutoOwners Insurance. They would be glad to tell you more about their adult children and experiences, so don’t hesitate to introduce yourself to them!  

We give thanks whenever someone finds their way ‘home’ to Trinity UMC and takes the ceremonial step to become a professing member. Welcome, and God’s peace to the three of you!

Serving in Worship in December

Offering Counters:December 2December 9 Tami & Mary Slagle, & Joyce TrevillianDecember 16 December 23December 30

Liturgists Ushers Projection System OperatorsDecember 2 10:30 Mark Shemanski Opportunity Riley Gauthier

December 9 10:30 Bruce Clark Opportunity Lizzy Ryan

December 16 10:30 TBD Opportunity Dean Laitinen

December 23 10:30 Jeremiah Garrigues-Cortelyou “ Charlotte Ryan

December 24, 5:00 p.m. TBD Cole & Brock Grenier 8:00 p.m. TBD Opportunity

December 30 10:30 Deb Saul Opportunity Riley Gauthier

Junior Worship Leaders: Please see the sign-up sheet by the door of the Junior Worship room. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Preacher’s CornerPrepare the Way of the Lord Luke 3:4

The coming of Christmas is a time of many ‘once a year’ tasks. We bring out Christmas decorations. Maybe write Christmas cards? Or make special Facebook entries. Snapchat pictures. Twitter comments. We gather with friends and family for special lunches and dinners and parties. And sometimes there are birthday events, baby showers, or retirement celebrations. Not to mention the shopping, the gifts, the wrapping, and mailing. All to prepare for…the love of God revealed to the world through the birth of the baby Jesus.

Let’s keep it simple this year…as best we can. The preaching will reduce all of the complexity to one word per week, to help us remember that preparing the way of the Lord can be as simple as standing still, refining our expectations, doing what’s right in front of us.

We can welcome God’s love. We will arrive at the humble manger, and we will continue to search for the joy and the gift that is promised in our scriptures and in God’s covenant with us down through the ages. Then, along with the Wise Ones from the East, we just might find that the gifts we give and receive are as simple as hope, joy, love, and peace.

Do come and be blessed by the worship and preaching for this wonderful season.

Praise God! The words of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God!

December 2, Stand. Jeremiah 33:14-16, Luke 21:25 – 36

December 9, Refine. Malachi 3:1-4, Luke 3:1-6

December 16, Do. Zephaniah 3:14-20, Luke 3:7-18

December 23, Welcome. Micah 5:2-5a, Luke 1:39-55

December 24, Arrive. Isaiah 9:2-7, Luke 2:1-20

December 30, Search. Luke 2:41-52

January 6, Find. Isaiah 60:1-6, Matthew 2:12

The Wednesday night Prayer Meeting has been

discontinued. Please look through the

Tower to discover other activities to

December Birthdays and AnniversariesPlease pray for them on their special day.Dec. 1 Bob Bowman

2 Hope Ann Blagec, Casey HansleyHeidi Harwell, Arieana PauporeJoyce Trevillian

4 Gracie Hilyard, Lee SandbergMary Turner

5 Lucy Shampo6 Delaney Fortner, Chloe Weinert7 Deb Saul8 Kim Mashak

12 Kassidy Schaut14 Dayna Hodgins, Carol LaFave

Adam Ryan15 Rev. Geri Hamlen17 Robert & Carol Calcari19 Lauren Smart, Frank Trumbell21 Celeste Bancroft, Daniel Kuder

Joyce London, Jerry & Heidi Harwell22 Holland Maki23 Noelle Champagne, Jon Harry

Mary Rowell26 Jon & Alice Nord27 Don Richards, Jr.28 Logan Ryan29 Sophia Hayes, Paul & Kim Mariucci30 Riley Gauthier, Kim Wilcox

Hospitalized since our last issue: Henry London

Our condolences to Suzanne Harry, whose brother, Alan Monette, died October 27.

Dear Trinity UMC, Thank you so much for the care package and for the birthday gift card! That was so thoughtful. Also, thank you for welcoming our family into your church. The love from all of you is overwhelming. Thanks again! –Maddie Koski

Church family, thank you very much for the surprise package of treats!! –Love, Sierra Fortner

Thank you so much for the boxes of snacks! It is always nice to be remembered as we continue our studies. Thanks again. –Gino & Marchella Mariucci

Dear Trinity family: Thank you so much for your continued thoughts and prayers (and the box of goodies!!). I am so grateful for all the love and support you have given to me the last three-and-a half years that I have been away at school. Thanks again! –Love, Adrianne Laurila

Dear Trinity United Methodist Church family:Thank you so much for all of the Halloween treats. It is so nice to know that my church family thinks of me while I am away. Thankfully, there is only about a month left in the semester, and then I will be home. Thank you, again! –Barbie Jo Slagle

Dear Church family: Thank you so much for sending the package with all the treats! I appreciate that you sent me it during my mid-term exams! Thank you for thinking of me at college! –Love, Paige Fortner

Dear Trinity UMC: Thank you so much for the care package and prayers! I am finishing up my last semester of classes and clinic; in the spring I will start my internship at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital! I am so excited! Thank you again for thinking of me! –Audrey Laurila

A note of thanks…Dear Pastor Hamlen: This letter is to thank you for allowing us to use the church facilities to hold our ‘Bells for Hospice’ ceremonies on November 1. We are so grateful to Trinity United Methodist Church for allowing us to congregate outside for this ceremony. It was a wonderful way to show the community what hospice is. Again, thank you, and God bless. –Ilene Kotajarvi, OSF Hospice Volunteer/ NODA Coordinator

Who Loves Coffee Time?  The Sunday morning coffee time seems to be growing more and more fun as more and more people linger for just a little while after worship to greet people and catch up with friends.

We have temporarily lost one of our Coffee Time teams and are looking for a couple of people to work together to make the coffee and put out cookies for one Sunday a month. A lot of people come in on Saturday afternoon to make this happen, and then Pastor or the organist plug in the coffee pots early Sunday morning to be sure it’s made for the 8:00 people. By 10:30, the coffee is good and strong! 

Please consider this an opportunity to make Sunday morning better for your friends at church! Call the office and leave your name...someone will call you back to answer questions and to tell you how rewarding it is to Make Coffee!

The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign runs through December 22. If you’d like to sign up to ring bells or would like more information, please call Debbie Floriano, 774-7578, or email her at Debbie@florianosearch.com.

November 18, 2018 Charge ConferenceOn Sunday, November 18, more than 50 people

gathered in the church Sanctuary with Rev. Scott Harmon, our District Superintendent.

The worship that morning was a true celebration of our Jubilee Year. The meeting afterwards was a time of decision-making and music and prayer. The Praise Band made their debut with When the Saints Go Marching In and Will the Circle Be Unbroken.

Decisions were made about the Pastor’s salary, new committee people, and changes to the Endowment document.

The minutes from this meeting are in the office if you would like a copy of them to read. Praise be to God for this Trinity Church!

(See page 6 for the Pastor’s Report)

Memories of Trinity United Methodist Church:It had to be the Christmas of 1972. Our baby,

Erik, was nine-months-old, and our little girl, Kristine, was six-years-old. She was chosen to be Mary in the Nativity play put on at the church. We’d come early so she could get dressed, and we wanted good seats as the church filled quickly for Christmas services. We found seats on the left side near the choir, and we’d left Erik in the nursery, as we didn’t want him fussing during the service.

The church was decorated lovely—the church ladies had done a super job—and when the front altar area was lit up, there was our daughter, Kristine, in a white robe with a full blue veil covering her long, blond hair, and she was Mary, holding one of her own baby dolls, Jesus.

I choked up just looking at her, tears running down my face. It was all so beautiful. The choir was singing “Silent Night,” with the congregation chiming in. The kids were excited this close to Christmas, but also taking to heart the roles they were assigned. A story as old as time, but now seen through their eyes. Unforgettable. —Genean Granger

December’s Mission of the Month is Our Brother’s Keeper Fund

Over the years, Trinity has provided confidential assistance to people in our community…rent, utilities, emergency situations have all created needs for people, and the Brother’s Keeper Fund has been there to help.

Fewer funds have been available this past year, so at this point, the Fund is used mostly for food and gas emergencies. It’s good to know that if someone needs gas to get to work or to an out of town doctor appointment, or if a family needs food to get through to the next check, Trinity UMC is here to help.

Those in need are also held in prayer and invited to grow in their faith in God through the acts of giving and receiving. Thanks be to God for your generous contributions to this source of assistance.

The Pastor’s Report for the Charge Conference, by Rev. Geri Hamlen

Greetings to the People of Trinity UMC for this 2018 Charge Conference. Do you remember last year? We had no idea…last September 24 at our Charge Conference, we had no idea that a Jubilee Year was even a possibility. During the last months of 2017, the concept emerged and was approved be the Church Council. Who knew we could just give up on goal-setting and mission statements and just concentrate on praying for our Church, reading through the Bible in a year, and honoring our history! But we could and we did. We took on 2018 as our Jubilee Year. A year in which to allow ourselves to put aside busyness and to let our fields rest. We have engaged in this special time to reflect and open up to God’s direction for the future of our church.

Sometimes, in the life of a family or a marriage or a church, it’s good to just get back to the basics. Church is basically and always, the place where God’s people gather to remember that God loves us. Church is the place where we affirm that we love each other…as best we can. And where we learn how to love people everywhere, even if they are difficult, different, or disturbing in some way. Church is the place where we come to give thanks to Jesus for showing us the way…through the past and on into the future.

During this Jubilee year, we have remembered what it is like to relax and enjoy each other’s company. We have reviewed our history as a congregation, here within the Upper Peninsula. We have shared our favorite stories and remembered with joy our favorite people who are no longer with us. Prayers for the church have been written each month and shared in the Tower and during worship services. Two sentence prayers have been sent out to those who are currently active in the life of the church. More than 40 people took a Bible to read through this year, and three different Bible study groups met at various times to encourage and learn from each other. The Holy Spirit inspires each of us differently as we read God’s Word. These are all the practices of a faithful church.

Some people found the Jubilee year energizing…we engaged in a Conference-led Healthy Congregations workshop, and we experienced a Healing Conversations weekend. Both of those experiences brought forth ideas for the future of the church, and we continue to meet and discuss those thoughts. The choir has new members and a partner choir director and our vivid choir accompanist. There are new Community Meal teams on the second

and fifth Wednesdays of the month. A Praise Team has started meeting and is actually ‘debuting’ at this Charge Conference meeting on November 18!

Other people found in this Jubilee year that they were more tired than they thought…and they have rearranged their schedules and their priorities, which is a good thing. Taking a break and/or serving in new and different ways can sometimes be the most faithful thing to do. God doesn’t want us to keep working far past our limits of energy and endurance. At all stages of life there are a variety of ways in which to serve God and to be active in the life of the church.

As people change, so too does our Community of Faith. Yes, we can live without ushers. Committees that don’t have chairpeople have figured out how to rotate the leadership role so that everyone has a chance to contribute. Two of the United Methodist Women circles are meeting less and less (or not at all). The Joy Crafters are evolving into a Monday morning social gathering. These are transitions that flow naturally out of the human aging process and the life cycle of churches.

The 2018 Jubilee Year has given us an opportunity to see ourselves more clearly and…to see God at work in our midst over the lifetime of our congregation. We don’t yet know what the future holds for us, or The United Methodist Church, but we can be assured that God loves this Trinity Church in Iron Mountain, which is built through the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus is not going to leave us stranded and wandering the wilderness. We can trust that while we keep our eyes and hearts and minds open, Jesus will show us the way into a fruitful and blessed future.

As we look to the future, let’s remember the words of King David to his son Solomon: ‘Be strong and of good courage and act. Do not be afraid or dismayed; for the Lord God, my God, is with you. God will not fail you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished.’ 1 Chronicles 28: 20

Let us journey together, to Jubilee and beyond! In the blessed name of Jesus, our Savior and our

Friend.

Pastor Geri

News from the Michigan Conference: Michigan Looks to Weave Our Future

In February 2019, hundreds of delegates will converge on St. Louis, Missouri, for a Special Called Session of the General Conference. They will seek a way forward on the issues surrounding LBGTQ persons. At stake may be the future of The United Methodist Church.

While this event may have a significant impact on the future of the global church, here in Michigan, we recently declared that we are "Better Together" in mission and ministry. We have just formed a new annual conference with a new and exciting structure for creating disciples of Jesus Christ. That is not to say our new conference is free of disagreement.

Look for articles, videos, and constantly-updated resources in “A Way Forward Toolbox” at the website, https://michiganumc.org/resources/a-way-forward.

As Bishop David stated recently, “While most of us like to think of the opinions we hold as well-supported, well-considered, and well-argued, we would also do well to acknowledge that in many of the most important things we think about, there is always room for growth and new learning. Often well-considered, well-supported, and well-argued opinions become so through shared conversation and dialogue. We should, then, be people who are open to new ideas, to new ways of looking at our lives and our faith, open to conversation and dialogue.”  In that spirit, Bishop David invites you into a continuing dialog. 

Trinity UMC will provide opportunities for information sharing and listening sessions on the following dates. These meetings will be led by Beth Clark and Pastor Geri. All are welcome to come, to listen, to hear, to be transformed by our relationships and communications with each other here at Trinity UMC…just remember: God loves this church, and God loves you!

Wednesday, December 5, 5:30 p.m.Monday, December 10, 10:30 a.m.Wednesday, December 12, 5:30 p.m. Monday, December 17, 10:30 a.m.

Reading the Bible in a Year: The week of November 25 in the Old Testament reading, we complete the book of Ezekiel. In keeping with the odd and curious events that Ezekiel experiences, he is given a vision of a valley full of “those dry bones” as they are being brought back to human form. This might represent the coming back together of the Jews in their homeland after their dispersion. God gives Ezekiel another vision (in great detail), this time of the Temple of God in all its grandeur. Is this Temple to be built or is it just a representation of the magnificent image of the Temple that God is due here on earth? Questions remain about the references to animal sacrifices in the new Temple since Christ’s blood sacrifice seemingly will end those rituals. At the end of this week we begin the book of Daniel with the hope of some relief from Ezekiel’s difficult visions and imagery.

The New Testament book of Hebrews is completed this week, and we read through James and begin 1st Peter. Hebrews concludes, repeating the theme to the Jewish Christians of Christ’s superiority and the new agreement that is far better than the old Jewish rituals and way of worship. James (Jesus’ brother) writes to encourage the new Christians in working out their faith. Faith without works and works without faith do not honor God. People will know your faith be your works. Peter warns the new Christians about the difficulties ahead for choosing to follow Christ. They can expect opposition from the government (Rome), the Jews, and even their families. It is not for Christians to be comfortable in this world because we ultimately belong to God and another world.    

Our steady progress to completion of our reading through the Bible in a year continues daily (I hope). Having the Bible open daily is healthy for the people of God and pleases Him.

2019 is fast approaching. The invitation to read through the Bible during ‘19 is offered to you. If this is your year, or a repeat of this year, we will be organizing in December for the coming year. All are welcome.

We are looking at the following group times for 2019. Check your calendars to see if you can join us:

Fridays at noon. Tuesdays at 5:30 with Pastor Geri. Sundays at 9:30 a.m.

First-Timer at the District MeetingBy Heidi Harwell It was an honor to attend the Northern Skies District meeting on Saturday, November 1 and learn about all the activities of the District. It was the first time I visited the Hope Connection Center where the campus ministry is based, and several students were present to make lunch and talk about all the activities they are involved in. The District hopes to increase attendance at Camp Michigamme this summer, and they need more camp counselors to accomplish this goal. There are plans to offer Family Camp again. We heard the applications for Mission of the Year; the recipient is Iron Mountain’s First United Methodist Church. The other applicant was interesting; I had not heard about God’s Country Cooperative Parish, which is made up of seven churches that have combined their mission and ministry efforts housed in a former school. I learned a great deal about the District and am happy I attended to learn more about its activities.

News from the Northern Skies District: The District Double Header went toe-to-toe with the weather on Saturday, November 10, 2018 and while weather scored some points, the Double Header managed to eke out a win. The first winter storm of the season blew across the UP and forced many would-be attendees to stay home. Absent were chairs of both committees, event musicians, and several scheduled participants. However, District Superintendent Rev. Scott Harmon stepped in and pretty much handled everything, so along with local musician Jim Pennell, the work of the district got done and everybody got to sing.

Affirming the new district structure was one of the major items on the agendas of both meetings. That voting item read, “The Marquette District Board of Missions and Church Extension, a Michigan Non-Profit Corporation, hereby approves the merger of the Corporation into the Northern Skies District, a Michigan Non-Profit Corporation, as of January 1, 2019. The officers of the Corporation are hereby authorized and directed to take such legal and financial action as is necessary to accomplish this merger.” In essence, following affirmation, the Board of Missions and District Conference became one, incorporated entity, the Northern Skies District,

which assumes the duties and responsibilities of both. Watch for a “Single Header” in 2019.  In the morning, the District Board of Missions and Church Extension met for the last time and:

Approved the new district structure. Learned about EngageMI, our new conference

model for mission. Lifted up 2017 district Spotlight Churches. Heard God’s Country Cooperative Parish Director

Virginia Bell speak about the mission and history of the parish.

Chose Iron Mountain First UMC as the 2019 Mission of the Year.  The Hope UMC Wesley Connection NMU student organization served lunch to the 40-50 persons who made it to the event. They also provided coffee and snacks before, during, and after both meetings.  The District Annual Conference convened after lunch and the body:

Was introduced to pastors new to the district   along with one new church.

Bid farewell to Laurium UMC, which closed its doors in June.

Approved the new district structure. Confirmed the nominations   of persons staffing the

new structure. Heard district financial reports from bookkeeper

Alan Larsen. Approved the 2019 budget for the new structure. Heard a report from GCCP Church and

Community Worker Randy Hildebrant. Watched as Camp Michigamme Director Erica

Thomas changed from lifeguard attire to clothes more suitable for winter. After she stopped shivering, she gave the camp report. She also spoke about the proposed new Agape Wigwam.

Approved the 2019 Camp Michigamme budget.  It should be noted that while weather prevented many folks from traveling, others still managed to make the trip. The longest drive award should be shared between Ted and Jean Trudgeon of Ewen (105 miles) and Rev. Dave Wallis and Roger Moore, (169 miles, but the weather was better) who came from Mackinaw City. Those four and all the others who came from places in between should receive the “sisu” award. (“Sisu” is the Finnish concept of strength and persistent determination and resolve in the face of adversity.) Welcome to life in the Northern Skies District!

Minutes of the Church Council Meeting, November 19, 2018Roll Call: Blair Daugherty, Emily Ritsema, Pastor Geri Hamlen, Jack Noyce, Adam Ryan, Frank Trumbell, and Lea Varda.Pastor Geri opened with discussion about our Jubilee Year winding down and reflected on the time Trinity spent going back to the basics of prayer, reading the Bible, and remembering our church history. The challenge seems to lie in defining how ‘Church communities’ are different from other business and local community groups. What does it look like to be a community of faith? Looking ahead to what’s next for Trinity, Pastor Geri read descriptions of ‘church’ from Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer and a sermon by Karl Barth. Council members read the November Jubilee Prayer together.The October minutes were reviewed, and the November agenda was set by the Council members.Resource and Leadership Development Finance Committee - The Council discussed the proposed Amendment changes that were affirmed and passed at the Church Conference on November 18, 2018. The Council agreed to let the Finance Committee work out ideas on how to make distributions from the Marie Bleecker Fund.Jack motioned to move the $93 from the Pancake Lunch to the General Fund. Frank seconded. Motion passed.The Council reviewed and discussed the Treasurer’s Report. The October General Fund balance was printed before all accounting activity was recorded. The approved but not-used funds for the boiler repairs from the Bleecker account will be moved back into the available Marie Bleecker funds. The Revolving Line of Credit was reduced by $584 from the spaghetti lunch offerings and $2,000 from the UMW. Loan balance is at $8,716.00. The Ministry Shares are all paid up-to-date.Frank motioned to move two undesignated gifts totaling $100 to the General Fund. Jack seconded. Motion passed.Stewardship & Generosity Team - The Giving Goal Campaign, “Building Up the Temple,“ went very well. The congregation enjoyed singing with the children and the block wall visual. A Poinsettia Festivity is planned for December to decorate the altar for the finishing touches before Christmas worship services.Leadership/Nominating Committee- Adam Ryan has stated he will continue to be the Council Chair for 2019. A vice-chair will be needed to replace Emily when her time at Trinity is done.

Pastor’s TimePastor Geri passed out the 2018 Profile of the Church document for the Council members to review. Two of the pages did not make it into the Charge Conference packet. Pastor directed attention to page 2, What unique qualities does this charge possess that sets it apart? It is recommended for members to keep this in a folder for future reference.Trinity photos have all been scanned and ready for review. Frank made a recommendation to the Church Council to use $500 of Marie Bleecker Funds for Trustees to build a history display corner. Jack seconded. Motion passed.Trustees Blair talked about some of the Trustees’ projects, including the outside door near the office, which appears to have rain damage and leaking problems. He’ll keep us posted. Pastor Geri and Beth Clark will lead some opportunities for information sharing and listening sessions at Trinity UMC in regard to the issues from the Special Called Session of the General Conference. All are welcome to come, to listen, to hear, to be transformed by our relationships and communications with each other here at Trinity UMC. Sessions are Wednesday, December 5 at 5:30 pm, Monday, December 10 at 10:30 am, Wednesday, December 12 at 5:30 pm, and Monday, December 17 at 10:30 am.New Business not previously discussed-The Council will ask the Endowment Committee to address Bill Verrette’s question B4 in his comments from the Church Conference. Frank will relay the request to Maria Hyrkas.Bill Verrette’s written document re. his comments to the Charge Conference were reviewed and will be attached to the official minutes. Others who were at the Charge Conference are going to write up their comments as well to be attached to the minutes, in order to reflect more fully the range of discussion at that time. Next Meeting: Monday, December 17, 2018, at 6:30 pm.Minutes taken by Lea Varda

Minutes of the Trustees Meeting, November 12, 2018Blair called the meeting to order.

Present: Blair Daugherty, Pastor Geri Hamlen, Marsha Bonicatto, Betsy Trumbell, John Erickson, Jerry Hicks.

The November Jubilee prayer was read.

The agenda was reviewed.

Marsha moved to approve the minutes from the 10-8-18 meeting. John supported. Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESSIt was decided to go with Classic Carpet Care for the Church. They offer a 20% discount to Churches. Marsha made a motion to have the carpets cleaned in the Gathering Room, nursery, hall, office and Sanctuary. Jerry supported. Motion carried. Betsy will contact Classic Carpet Care.

Blair purchased a ladder for the parsonage.

There is a new fire extinguisher for the parsonage.

John will fix the flickering light at the parsonage; check the refrigerator water filter, bathroom floor tile, and garage vent.

Trustees will look into replacing the basement windows and cleaning the gutters in the spring.

NEW BUSINESSBetsy will talk to Sally about keeping track of the snowplowing by marking it on the calendar when plowing is done and checking this against the plowing bill.

Pastor Geri reported that Kathryn Bilgreen has researched shelving for displaying things in a history corner. Two areas identified are the Gathering Room nametag area and the overflow to the left of the projection equipment. Blair would like to work with Kathryn on this. John moved to recommend that $500 of Bleecker funds be requested for cabinetry and shelving to move forward with the history corner project. Marsha supported. Motion carried.

John and Blair will fix the bifold doors in the overflow room closet.

Fundraising has covered the $5,436.81 bill for boiler repairs.

The line items in the budget under Maintenance have surpassed the $20,000 mark by $1,586.80 as of 10-31-18. The Trustees had agreed to pay these overages, and the $1,586.80 will be taken out of our account this month to cover this. The Trustees expressed concerns that we may not have enough to cover overages for the

rest of the year. Betsy will talk to Jack Noyce about this.

PASTOR’S TIMEPictures of the parsonage are needed for the annual report. Pastor Geri will take care of this.

Jon Harry will not be on Trustees after this year, so the Trustees will need a new rep on the Endowment Committee.

John moved to adjourn. Jerry supported. Motion carried.

Submitted by Betsy Trumbell, Trustee Secretary

Memories of Trinity United Methodist Church

My four girls were part of the children’s choir, which was a delight to everyone. In fact, my oldest child played the organ on certain occasions. They practiced every Friday after school for several hours, and their choir was huge.—Dorothy Manko

Over 50 years ago, my husband, two-year-old son, and I moved to Iron Mountain/Kingsford. I was born and raised a Methodist, and so upon moving I immediately found a Methodist Church and transferred my membership. I have seen many pastors come and go, had many varied jobs within the church, and have always found support and nurture within its walls. God has blessed me and my family.

I always felt welcome and that I belonged. My mom was in the choir and my dad sat in this row. I was thrilled when the new church was built.

Trinity has always been my church home, my church family. Throughout life’s struggles, it has been what I learned here that helped me survive and grow stronger. The love God has shown me, the love the church family has shared with me, has made me who I am. I will always cherish my Trinity UMC memories and continue to build more with my children.

I remember when some teenagers and some adults would go to Appalachia every summer! They would have such great experiences in mission, socialization, and travel! The Langers and the Daughertys put so much work into it. Praise them and the experience they gave so many people.—Joyce Erickson

I remember coming to church, and it was packed and only one service. I remember Fern Markell and her husband, who would always greet us with such pleasant talk.

Trinity United Methodist Church808 Carpenter Ave.Iron Mountain, MI 49801

ELECTRONIC SERVICE REQUESTED

December 2018

Trinity United Methodist Church808 Carpenter Ave.Iron Mountain, MI 49801-4704Vol. 18, No. 4, December 2018THE TOWER is published 10 or 11 times a year by Trinity United Methodist Church for distribution to its members and friends.Pastor………………………………Rev. Geri HamlenChoir Directors………………………...................... Emily Ritsema & Jeremiah Garrigues-CortelyouOrganist……………………………………...Sue Saxon Pianist……………………………………... Jean LarsonCustodian…………………………………Larry MarlettNursery Attendants………………………………… Sally Verley, Kane Driscoll, & Emma BilgreenSecretary…………………………………...Sally Verley Sunday Worship……………………..8:00 & 10:30 a.m.Sunday School classes for age 3 to adult……..9:00 a.m.

Nursery Available During the 10:30 Service.Office Hours…………Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Friday, 8 a.m.-noon Website…………….………………. www.imtrinity.org Phone 774-2545 Email imtrinityumc@gmail.com

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDIron Mountain, MI 49801

Permit No. 81

Men of Prayer will not meet in December. Our next meeting will be Monday, January 28 at 7:00 p.m. Come and check it out. We’ll compare notes on life and where God is working things out. Come and see what it’s all about. For more information, please call Mark Shemanski, (906)396-6828.

Christmas Eve Worship, Monday, December 24

5:00 p.m. Family worship

8:00 p.m. Worship with the choir and candlelight

The church office will close at noon.