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it to newsEditor by October 20th.

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October 2008 Trinity Observer
From Reverend Jim Offrink:

Greetings,
    Last night, I began to count our blessings.  It went, “well, we’ve got
four coats of wax on the multi-purpose room floor, courtesy of dedicated
members.”  Then I thought, we now have great vinyl overlays of our logo
on our main doors an anonymous gift, ummmm, and then our sound
system has been tweaked to sound better.  The sanctuary is still in need
of more sound work, but the adjustments helped immensely!  
    A huge amount of material has been moved (twice) by a great group
of very patient guys.  The outdoor flowers are growing like,… no not
weeds… healthy flowers!  Have you noticed the two pots with
ornamental cabbage as their centerpieces?  Again, generous gifts to the
church.  
   Storage units are appearing, pictures and banners on the walls, a lovely entry table and the
kitchen is getting organized.  The indoor swing away regulation basketball hoop is up and the
volley ball outfit is here as well!  We’ve just been donated a brand new “boardroom” table for
the meeting room, someone saw the need and was generous with their designated funds.
Yes, we have lots and lots more to do.  Which again leads to remembering my previous
mantras… “Good Stuff is Happening, Right Here!” and “What Can I Do?”  Come and see all
that’s been done, and after a bit you’ll be counting your blessings, then before you know it…
you’ll say… “What Can I Do?” or perhaps… “I’ve got this idea,” or “I’d like to help doing this or
that.”  We are a joy filled family of believers, and everyone is welcome to be here with us.
   We noted Sunday that we met and exceeded the budget in August.  It doesn’t erase the
entire deficit, but it is a milestone for this new congregation!  I hope this becomes a custom
rather than a single exception to the rule.
   It is said if you write down three things good that happened in your day, take a moment to
look at what you were doing, … and answer “What helped that to happen?”  You may better
learn to maximize your blessings!  Sounds good to me, but the most important part is to let God
grace us with those blessings, as we learn to use them wisely. Come and see, be a part of our
worshipping family, celebrating our new ministry!
Yours,
Jim O   

Richard J. Holland—Bio

     Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  His parents were Dr. Bailey O. Holland (a dentist) and Mrs. Ethel C.
Holland.  He has one sister. Dr. Jeanne E. Luck.  He attended Pittsburgh public schools  and graduated from
Westinghouse High School in 1956.  He attended Tennessee State in Nashville, Tennessee.  He was part of
the Marching Band there as well as in high school.  He married Juanita Gleggett, now deceased.  They had
one son, Jonathan Bailey Holland, a composer who lives just outside of Boston, Mass.  Richard served in the
military, the U.S. Army for two years.  He then received a B.A. and M.A. from Eastern Michigan University.
He began teaching woodworking and architectural drafting at Beecher H.S. He transferred to Flint Community
Schools/ Genesee Area Skill Center, where he taught Auto Mechanics.  He finished his teaching career at
Northwestern H.S. and retired in 1998.  Richard is currently a Deacon at Trinity.  He is an ordained Elder as
well.  He is married to Delphine Moore Holland.

CHILDREN’S WINTER CLOTHING DRIVE!!

     The Deacons are starting their Children’s Winter Clothing Drive, this the first week of Fall.  The  need
continues to be great and your help is necessary to make this a success.  The type of clothes needed is the
usual.  
      Winter Jackets and Coats
      Underwear,
      Socks
      Belts
      Hats
      Gloves
      Mittens.
    There is also a need for small to X-Large Uniform Clothing, Polo Shirts with collars, long or short sleeve in
White-Lt. Blue-Yellow-Navy.  Pants/ Slacks sizes 6-16 are needed in the following colors:  Navy-Black-Khaki.  
Not all of the schools us uniforms, but this same type of clothing is needed.
    Please understand that we will accept good used clean clothing along with items that you may purchase.  
There is a basket in the Narthex to accept your donations.  Monetary donations may be made by cash or
check and placed in an envelope marked with your name and amount of donation, and then placed in the
collection plate.  If you have any questions, please contact the Deacons Karen Fischer (720-3326) or Alice
Shirley (653-0580).
     Thank you in advance for all the help you do each year for the children at schools.
-  The Deacons

Deacons Activities

     Genesys Hospice Volunteers article, that appeared in the September Newsletter.
    Coffee Hour and Supplies will be taken over by the Membership committee in October.
    Communion served to 81 people on August 24, 2008, plus communion taken to many of the homebound
people.
    A three member panel was appointed by the Vice-Moderator to look into charities and make
recommendations back to the Deacons.  Appointed were Karen Fischer, Rosaline Brown, and Buffy Weir.
    A Memorial service was held on August 31 for the Ainsworth Son with a dinner following.
    Dedication will be September 28th with service and
refreshments and activities.  Jan Kamrath, Caroline McDonough-Scott, Alice Shirley and the assistance of
Rev. Annie will be handling this area.
    Love INC.  The food and gas gift cards will be handed over to Love INC., so that they would have then
available when needed.
     Their next meeting was held on September 21.

TEACHERS NEEDED

     This is a much needed time for the teachers.  They need help with, because there is a law now that 2 adults
need to be in every class room.  If you can help out 1 or 2 Sundays a month, it would be very welcomed.  Some
teachers cannot make it every Sunday.  Please contact Denise White.

“You Are Connected”

     If you are a member of Trinity United Presbyterian church, you are also a member of the Presbytery of Lake
Huron (PLH).   Members of the PLH are members of the Synod of the Covenant and the General Assembly of
the Presbyterian Church, (USA).  The Nominating Team of the PLH has been working to fill vacancies on
several committees or teams.  Some of you have served on PLH or Synod committees before.  Some of the
committees with vacancies include the Committee on Ministry, The Committee on Representation, the
Nominating Team, the Coordinating Team and the Permanent Judicial Commission.
    Most of these groups meet 2-3 times a year or as needed.  Mileage is provided, since most of the
meetings take place at the PLH office in Saginaw.  If you are an Ordained Elder or Lay person who is
interested in serving at the Presbytery Level, contact Delphine M. Holland, 810-789-6879.
    Ask yourself—Am I ready and willing to do extra reading or take time for extra work?  Am I ready and able
to make a three year commitment to a  committee?  Am I familiar with Robert’s Rules of Order?  Am I familiar
with the Book of Order?  Have you attended Presbytery
Meetings?  Do you have past experience on Session or Deacons Boards?  (You don’t have to be currently
serving.)  Do you have experience on committees or task forces in the congregation?  Did you  recently serve
on the Coordinating Team for the Merger of the three churches?  Many of you have had these experiences and
are more than qualified to serve at the Presbytery level.
     We just had a lesson in Sunday school about God using ordinary people as part of His extraordinary plans.  
No one can say “yes” to every request, but consider serving and then pray about it before you say “no”.  We
are connected beyond our local church.  By the way, the Nominating Team for Trinity United is also searching
for people to serve right here at Trinity United Presbyterian Church, USA!
    I have a form to fill out if you would like to nominate someone or even yourself.  
- Delphine M. Holland

MiCAFE, Michigan’s Coordinated Access to Food for the Elderly
1-877-664-2233
micafeonline.org
Sponsored in part by Elder Law of Michigan

      Elder Law of Michigan, Inc. strives to promote and protect the right of seniors by providing information,
advocacy and legal advice.  The people at Elder Law are very excited about a special program of MiCAFE,
Eat Your Way to Good Health.  This project aims to reach out to multi-generational families in Flint.
      Too often in communities and neighborhoods around the state, seniors go to bed each night with only one
meal a day.  They miss the medicine they need to control their blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, sore
joints.  They only have Social Security income to make ends meet.  The rising cost of Medicare takes a bigger
bite each year out of their monthly checks.  When they run out of money, they stop eating or turn the heat and
lights in their homes off.  Their health suffers.  They become more isolated and homebound.  Some become
depressed.
     MiCAFE can help, by getting them added money for food, so they could buy medicine or other basic
needs.  MiCAFE also brings isolated seniors into contact with community centers.  At these centers, people
who understand and care about seniors, have other programs and services to help them.
     MiCAFE is available because kind and caring people want to bring hope and the power to live a richer,
fuller life to seniors living in their community.
     MiCAFE’s Circle of Friends also includes:
      United States Department of Agriculture
      Michigan Department of Human Services
      Michigan Office of Services to the Aging
      Eaton Federal Savings Bank
      Kalamazoo Community Foundation
      Ruth Mott Foundation
      Community Foundation of Greater Flint
      Irving S. Gilmore Foundation
     If you know of someone that you think may be assisted by this type of program, please contact us at 1-877-
664-2233.  For additional information on what you can do to help with this program, please contact the Church
Office 1-810-720-5152 or contact Ron Shirley at 1-810-653-0580.  

News Around The Church

From the Property Team
     I want to thank everyone for all their help.  We still have a lot more to do.  All the help and cooperation from
everyone would be appreciated.  There is still a lot of stuff to take out of storage.  Please contact me if you can
help out.  Let’s strive forward and maintain a beautiful church.     
- Garry Black

From the E.P.I.C. Team
     The house at 1810 Kentucky is still available for sale.  This is the house that was given to the church before
we moved to the new church.  We should make a special effort to reach out to multi-cultural and Bi-Racial
couples.  Also, there is good news with the church music,
and the mingling at coffee hours.

From PW
     There was a suggestion to hold a Christmas Bazaar and are planning one for Dec. 6, 2008.  We need
people that would be willing to work, before, during and after the event.  We need crafters to display items at a
cost of $10.00 a table.  Please talk to Sharon Auger 653-8735, Denise White 744-1135 or Jeanne Kidle 232-
3207 for applications or information.  Also, PW is hosting the Lake Huron Presbyterian Women’s Fall
Gathering on Oct 24.  The cost is $8 which includes lunch, held from 10am-2pm.  Reservations need to be in
by Oct 13th.  Naomi Circle meets Oct 22 @ 11:30am.  New evening circle meets  Oct 13th @ 7pm.

Inside Your Session

     Each month the Elders who are currently serving on the Trinity United Presbyterian Church (USA) meet to
discuss matters of the church.  In our new building, these meetings are on the 3rd Monday of each month at
7pm.  
       Session meetings are closed to non-Session members, but any member of the church community may
address the Session by coming to the meeting and requesting to be added to the agenda.  These matters are
addressed before the regular meeting, and non-Session visitors are excused at their conclusion.
       Elders are responsible for the government of the church, and to encourage the congregation toward the
worship and service of God.  This is accomplished by reviewing the progress of each of the operational
"teams" at work in our church:  EPIC, Membership, Worship, Finance, Personnel, Property, and Christian
Education.  In addition, the Pastors, Deacons and Presbyterian Women also report to the Session.
       Minutes are recorded by the Clerk of Session (our Delphine Holland), and submitted to the Presbytery for
approval before being permanently added to our records.  You might expect Session Meetings to take awhile,
and you would be correct; they take from 2 to 3 hours to complete.  There's a lot going on in our church!
       Since the move into our new building the Session has spent time on issues that most churches don't
have.  For instance, we discuss the location of furnishings and supplies, new processes and practices,
developing our own new traditions as a completely merged congregation.  We are charting our new essence,
and it takes time to get it right.  Our members may notice the changes in our building and surroundings from
week to week, though.  As these transitional tasks are addressed and resolved, the Session can focus on the
"normal" activities of a church life.
       Session Elders and Deacons have identifying name tags to wear each Sunday, so that members may
address them with concerns or worries.  No matter how small.  It could even be just to say something nice.  
This is a representative government here in our church, and the voice of each person is important to our
success.
       In the meantime, doesn't that steeple draw you?  Blessings -
- Jeanne Kidle