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Offerings

Thu, 3 Jul 2008 23:46:29 -0600

(This month’s Offerings is a letter from Vera Kenyon, from the Oregon-Idaho Conference Hispanic Council, in response to Trinity’s gift of $2400 for the injured women
from the Wilder UMC Hispanic Mission Church.)

It is certainly true that God works in mysterious ways. I can’t tell you what an absolute blessing your gift to Maria, Teresa, Imelda, and indirectly to me has been.

I visited with each of them Thursday. Friday I went back and picked up the lists they had prepared of their needs. A woman from Wilder UMC and one from Nampa First, who are both on the Lower Snake River Hispanic Ministries Council, assisted me in evaluating their lists and dispersing most of the money. Rent was a concern for them all and our feeling was that if they received two months paid, they would be able to handle some of their other expenses. Knowing that medicine is the last thing they would get if they had other bills, the two women who put medicine down are getting prescriptions filled. I filled the two prescriptions which Maria needed but had not filled (one was for pain). When I delivered the medicine she nearly cried and said you were guardian angels for her. Her right leg was broken in two places which required surgery. I also picked up a cane at the pharmacy for Imelda. She cannot use it yet, but should be able to in
about two weeks. She has two broken arms, broken ribs, and has had her pelvic bones reconstructed. Her lower right arm is in a cast which is due to come off in about
two weeks. Then she should be able to begin learning to walk again with the aid of the cane and the therapist. She held the cane and hugged it when I gave it to her. Her left upper arm near the shoulder has had reconstructive surgery and is in a “contraption” which prevents her from moving it for now. She sees her doctor Tuesday and will get prescriptions then, which will be paid for by your generosity.

Teresa had a small dental bill for her daughter taken care of. Teresa also had a broken right leg which has had surgery. They all have broken ribs. Imelda’s husband was also in the wreck and still suffers from headaches from the blow to his head. He is back to work now. When I finish
paying the rents and other items, I will send you an itemized list reflecting how the money was used and what is left for later needs.

The whole time I was visiting with them and as we were making decisions concerning the division of the money I felt God’s presence. They each are very grateful for what
you are doing for them. I am grateful for the opportunity to be your representative. Like I said, God presents such wonderful opportunities to carry out his work. I was able to have a prayer with each of them while I was in their homes. They thanked me for that prayaer and for all of your prayers. They commented that they can feel your prayers. Please know that you have truly blessed three families by your caring gift.

Thank you for the opportunity to represent you and carry out your mission. In the process I, too, have been blessed.

Vera

(After hearing of our gift, Boise First UMC was inspired to donate to the Wilder Hispanic Mission Church.)

Prayer Concerns

Thu, 3 Jul 2008 23:44:12 -0600

Prayers of Thanksgiving for:

• The birth of Gracie Davenport on June 10;
• The baptism of Dawson Smith on June 8; and
The reception into membership of his mother, Kathy.

Prayers for:

• Pam Hawker, Ken Bailey, Lynn Seymour, Pete and Barbara Isaksen, and Bobbie Stephens, who are living with cancer;
• Arvon Anderson, who is recovering at home after a short hospital stay;
• Sheila Mullin, Elizabeth O’Steen, Helen Bowen, and Susan Simpson, who are recovering from surgery;
• Trinity folks who are concerned about the health of family members;
• All Trinity children and youth who will be attending Camp Sawtooth;
• The new Lay Leadership, as they take on their new leadership positions in July; and
The continued success and growth of our Vacation Bible School program.

Continued prayers for:

• Jason Christie Jr., and those recovering from surgery earlier this year;
• Jack Wallace, whose granddaughter Stephanie has been missing since August;
• Members of the Trinity family who are homebound or in care centers;
• All who serve in the military and their families, world leaders, and those who live in the midst of violence; and
• The people we see each day who need a relationship with Jesus Christ.

July Activities - Something for Everyone

Thu, 3 Jul 2008 23:40:01 -0600

Sisters Study Group—

This summer, the Sisters Bible Study will temporarily become a book club, as we read and
discuss “Mary Called Magdalen” by Margaret George. Our first meeting will be at noon on Wednesday, July 2. Bring your own lunch and please read to page 106 if you would like to join in the discussion of this book. For our July 9 get together, please read to page 206. All women are invited to attend this more “laid back” version of Sisters!

Dinner Group Invitation—

Anyone interested in joining a dinner group, or wanting to find out what a dinner group is like, is invited to check it out! Past, present, and future dinner group members are invited to attend a summer dinner group at Gary and Joanne Rose's place on Saturday, July 19, around 5:30 p.m. If you are interested in attending or want to know more details about dinner group, please call Lorrie Holaday at 529-4779.

Trinity Nights at the Chukars Game—

Trinity Nights at the Chukars are Sunday, July 6 at 4 pm and Friday, July 18 at 7:15 pm. At these games, Trinity folks buy their own ticket, food, etc and sit together for fun and fellowship.
On July 20, Trinity UMC has reserved the picnic area and hot tub for our use. Food, drinks and entry to the game are covered for $18. Early signup is requested—we must have a minimum of 30 people. Call Gene Summers (524-5392) or Jim Schaffer (524-2910).

Christian Co-ed Softball—

Trinity’s softball team continues their season through the end of July. Everyone is invited to come and cheer for all the players! The July games are:

Thursday, July 3—7:00 pm at Hillcrest SHS practice field vs. Christ Community’s Red Team
Thursday, July 10—7:00 pm at Hillcrest SHS practice field vs. Calvary Chapel’s Team
Thursday, July 17—7:00 pm at Hillcrest SHS practice field vs. First Baptist Church’s Team
Thursday, July 24—7:00 pm at Hillcrest SHS practice field vs. Good Samaritan’s Team

United Methodist Men—

The United Methodist Men will hold their monthly Breakfast and Business Meeting in Mary Dawson Hall at 8:00 am on July 19. The program will be Safe Sanctuaries Training. All men of the church are
always welcome to attend.

United Methodist Women—

Susannah Circle’s program for May was given by JoAnne Hess of the Domestic Violence Intervention Center. Circle members were told the importance of helping women who might be battered to get the help they need. The Battered Women’s Shelter number is 529-4352, with an emergency number of 235-2412. The National Hotline number is 1-800-799-SAFE (if you know someone who wants help but is not in the Idaho Falls area).

UMW Newsletters are located on the UMW bulletin board outside Patti’s office. You’ll also find registration forms there for the School of Christian Missions, which will be held August 14-17 at the Nazareth Center in Boise.

Summer is a great time to experience the UMW Reading Program. There are four categories of books matching our four Mission Outreach areas. The books are located in the cupboard on the south end of the Parlor. The check out procedure is explained on the back of the first door. It just takes one book from each category to complete Plan I of the Program.

Celebrating 125 Years at Trinity

Thu, 3 Jul 2008 23:23:36 -0600

I Remember Frances Aldana

This month, we’ll take a break from Mr. Shattuck’s History of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church,
for an article written by Pat Schmunk about one of Trinity’s long-time members.

Frances Aldana was one of the “Grand Elderly Ladies” that I met when I first came to Trinity Methodist Church. She always had Trinity United Methodist’s concern in her heart and was involved in many aspects of this church. She was also strict, opinionated, proud, talented, had interesting humor, could be lovable, etc; and I could say that I was a little frightened of her until I really got to know her; and then she was my special friend until the day she died at almost 103 years old.

Frances sang in the Chancel Choir for many years, and she would tell me that on Thursday, which was her day off from home chores, Pop Aldana (as she called him) would drive her into town from her log cabin on North Yellowstone. She would meet Lillian Schwarz, another of Trinity’s Grand Elderly Ladies, and they would eat lunch, spend time in the library, and then she would go to choir practice in the evening. Many times I have seen her husband sitting in his truck in front of the church waiting for her, as she never learned to drive. After Pop died, I had the opportunity of helping to drive Frances to her various activities.

Frances served in the choir for many years and she loved to attend the party functions that the chancel choir periodically had. During the choir get-togethers, she never failed to have a story or a joke to share as her part of the event.

Many of us can still see and remember where she sat every Sunday after she retired from the choir. Facing the altar, she sat on the north side of the sanctuary, on the left side, next to the first column, near the window. She kept her Bible and hymn book there from Sunday to Sunday, and no one bothered them, for they were for Frances Aldana. She was always dressed properly for church with her A-line dresses, white gloves, and her costume jewelry. She expected others to be properly dressed in their church clothes, and she would remind them if they were not.

Frances will always be remembered for her talent of flower-arranging for the altar, which she was responsible for, more years than I can remember. Her beautiful arrangement of Easter lilies in the front of the church was always special. She could take any kind of fresh or not-so-fresh flowers and make a masterpiece of them for the altar. Frances was always faithful in preparing the serving table and coffee for the parlor on Sunday mornings, until the years caught up with her and her body didn’t have the strength.

PINK was the color that Frances was so partial to, and that maybe is why Valentine’s Day was always so special to her. Her collection of large, fancy, laced Valentines was memorable, and she loved to show and to share them. Many UMW February meetings had the counter filled with a display of Frances’ Valentine collection. She was a faithful member of Rebecca Circle, even in later years when her hearing was so poor. She served as leader of this circle, especially as worship coordinator. She was always on the telephone, checking on the shut-ins or those of poor attendance to see how they were doing or if she could help them in any way.

Trees of all manner were another of Frances’ great loves. She had them planted all around her home, and she protected the two big fir trees and large lilac bushes on the north of the (then) church lawn. Any time anyone suggested trimming or doing anything to them, she raised a ruckus. Frances was devastated when the lilacs were taken out and the limbs on the trees were raised. Her voice was heard, but time doesn’t stand still and improvements were needed.

In September of 1995, Frances Aldana was 100 years old, and her family and church friends helped her celebrate in the church parlor with a large reception. Of course, Frances sat in a seat of honor and greeted her many friends in a lovely pink dress and corsage of pink flowers. There are many stories that could be told about Frances, but these are some of my memories.

Finance Accounts

Thu, 3 Jul 2008 23:22:15 -0600

Six months of this year are nearly gone and so far the budget has remained relatively healthy. As of the end of May, total revenues to date total $138,190 with expenses at $131,780. There were some surprises (boiler repair and snow removal) and some special projects along the
way. The roofing project loan for up to $20,000 was approved and the
Pipe Organ Maintenance Project was a huge success. Over $13,000 has
been received as the end of June for the Pipe Organ Maintenance Project and more money continues to trickle in each week. Look for work on the pipe organ to begin around the third week in August.