A couple of weeks ago, Trinity members Mike and Deb Psenicka spent some time in Dawson Springs, Kentucky, with their mission team from northwestern Indiana. Their assignment was to drywall a house for a woman with three children. Not only had the family suffered the loss of its home in a December 2021 tornado, but also, the place where the family was staying while they were displaced caught fire. The family lost one child due to smoke inhalation.

The good news is that, with their mission team, Mike and Deb managed to complete 80 percent of the work they needed to do. They met the homeowner's father (pictured), who is a Baptist minister, and presented him with six prayer shawls knitted by Trinity's Prayer Shawl Team.

When the Psenickas met the homeowner, she was very appreciative of the work the team was able to complete for her and her family. She shared with the team that one of the children put the prayer shawl to good use the night before to stay warm at her softball game!

Trinity joins Mike and Deb in thanking Betsy Sachs and the other ladies who diligently and lovingly create these prayer shawls for all those who need the comfort and warmth they provide in times of need. If you would like to join this wonderful ministry, the Prayer Shawl Team would welcome others interested in knitting shawls for this ministry! For more information, please call the church office at 715-258-7688.

Trinity member Phil Sitter is going on an Old Glory Honor Flight on Wednesday, May 22, to commemorate his four years of service in the Coast Guard during the Vietnam War. During the flight home, Mail Call happens. Each veteran's name is called over the loudspeaker, and a package of cards, letters, and well wishes, along with a small packet of tissues, is delivered to them in their seats. Let's welcome Phil home in style by sending him a note, card, or letter!

If you would like to provide Phil with a special piece of mail, please send it to: Phil Sitter, c/o Becky Ness, 2750 Yorktown Dr., Green Bay, WI 54304.

Please make sure to send the cards to the above address to arrive no later than May 4. Phil's wife, Nancy, will take them to the Honor Flight office so they can prepare Phil's package! If you would like to meet Phil at the airport in Appleton on May 22, the flight is due back at 8:30 p.m.

This Easter season, Trinity's leadership is prayerfully working to develop a revised wedding policy for our congregation and the pastors who officiate marriage services on behalf of the church. The renewed policy will update wedding fees and guidelines for use of the church building. More significantly, in keeping with the present practices of our Evangelical Lutheran Church in America as well as a 2010 resolution from Trinity's Church Council committing Trinity to be an ELCA congregation that ministers to all people in our Lord's name, the revised policy will put in writing that weddings are inclusive of all people, regardless of gender or orientation.

The wedding policy is one of several steps in follow-up from the recent adoption of Trinity's new mission statement: Together in Christ, we welcome, love, and serve all. Conversations about the new policy are underway at multiple levels of leadership, and the Council is expected to finalize the document in late May.

We understand that this is welcome news for some members of our community and a difficult development for others. Pastor Andy Behrendt spoke extensively about the topic in his April 21 sermon. Pastor Andy, Pastor Chuck Tews, and Pastor Mark Ziemer welcome conversation. You can reach them at pastors@tlcwaupaca.org.

Part 8 in a Series of Survey Spotlights

Thank you to everyone who completed Trinity's 2023 Congregation Assessment Tool survey. Since the CAT was completed last summer, our Church Council met with facilitator Kurt Jacobson to learn how to interpret the data. Our Call Committee used the information to complete the Ministry Site Profile for a new associate pastor. In addition, the Council had a retreat to discuss the data in more detail with Pastor Andrea Fluegel, Trinity's transition coach, and the survey results factored into our recent strategic planning process. The staff also discussed the data in greater detail. The CAT will continue to help Trinity discern God’s calling. This is only the beginning of our discernment process.

Congregational Assessment Tool (CAT): #8 Educational Engagement

Christian education and learning about the Triune God is a lifelong process that enriches a person’s spiritual life and better prepares a person to be Christ’s hands and feet in this world. The CAT measured the degree to which members share that understanding. It also gauges the degree to which the church provides developmentally appropriate education across the entire span of life.

Ages 44 and under

12.2% of participants strongly disagreed, disagreed, or tended to disagree with the following statement: “Our members understand that they have a spiritual responsibility for lifelong learning.”

17.7% of participants strongly disagreed, disagreed, or tended to disagree with the statement, “Our church provides opportunities for education and formation in a variety of ways so that I can find one that fits my complex lifestyle.”

57.1% of participants strongly agree or agree with the statement, “Our church provides high-quality education that is appropriate to every age and stage of life.”

Ages 45 to 64

28.4% of participants strongly disagreed, disagreed, or tended to disagree with the statement, “Our members understand that they have a spiritual responsibility for lifelong learning.” 41.9% tended to agree, which typically means they are unsure or they are indifferent to the statement.

21.6% of participants strongly disagreed, disagreed, or tended to disagree with the statement, “Our church provides opportunities for education and formation in a variety of ways so that I can find one that fits my complex lifestyle.”

49.4% of participants strongly agree or agree with the statement, “Our church provides high-quality education that is appropriate to every age and stage of life.”

Ages 65 and over

18.5% of participants strongly disagreed, disagreed, or tended to disagree with the statement, “Our members understand that they have a spiritual responsibility for lifelong learning.” 43% tended to agree, which typically means they are unsure or they are indifferent to the statement.

19.5% of participants strongly disagreed, disagreed, or tended to disagree with the statement, “Our church provides opportunities for education and formation in a variety of ways so that I can find one that fits my complex lifestyle.”

40.3% of participants strongly agree or agree with the following statement, “Our church provides high-quality education that is appropriate to every age and stage of life.”

Takeaways:

Christian Education is for ALL AGES. It is not just for preschoolers to high-school students and the occasional Bible study for those who are retired. Being a lifelong learner is important for our faith, spirituality, and connection to the Triune God.

Having a variety of different opportunities and times available for adults to learn about their faith continually is important. Trinity is focusing on small groups as one way for adults to become lifelong learners.

Trinity provides high-quality education opportunities. However, the quality of education seems to decrease as participants' ages increase. How does Trinity provide high-quality lifelong learning opportunities for adults?

Time is running out to submit applications for new and continuing scholarships through the Trinity Endowment Scholarship Program. Printed applications are available from the church office. Digital applications are available on Trinity’s website here or by clicking the appropriate application link: Scholarship Application or Continued Scholarship Application.

Applications must be hand-delivered to the Trinity Lutheran Church office at 206 E. Badger St., Waupaca, or emailed to jpeterson@tlcwaupaca.org. It is now too late to submit applications by postal mail.

The absolute deadline for 2024 applications is tomorrow, Thursday, April 25, at 4 p.m. Late applications will not be accepted. There are no exceptions to this rule.

We are once again delighted to make educational assistance available to undergraduate and seminary students with ties to Trinity. We look forward to receiving your applications. Any questions regarding the application process can be directed to Jacci Peterson at the church office. Applicants will be notified by June 15 if they will receive a grant.

Now Hiring Custodial Help

Trinity is looking for a part-time custodian. If you are interested, please call the Trinity office at 715-258-7688 or contact Jacci for more information.

If you have a passion for cleaning and tidying up, we could use your help at Trinity! We also would like some help with answering phones in the front office. If you would like to help out, please contact the church office and ask for Jacci. Thank you!