http://www.trinitybirmingham.com/getinvolved/blog/lay_involvement_leadership/ Lay Involvement Blog en hsmith@trinity-umc.org Copyright 2012 2012-02-12T18:21:55-06:00 Seven years ago, we decided that it was time to build at Trinity. There had been no new additions or renovations in more than 30 years. Our space for children’s, youth and music ministry was inadequate. The building was looking very tried and worn.  It was evident that the lack of adequate facilities was hampering our ministry in a significant way. In early 2006, we moved into our new and renewed facilities, which included a new student ministry center, new space for preschool, renovated space for elementary children, a new choir suite, a new parlor, new restrooms off the sanctuary, renovated fellowship hall – and an overall facelift for the entire building. The results were dramatic. - Our weekday children’s program increased by 40% in the first year - Our children’s enrollment for Sunday School increased by 68% in the past 5 years - Our student ministry has grown from about 50 active students to now almost 400 - Our music ministry now includes more than 450 people This simply would not have happened had we not undertaken this expansion when we did. Our theme for this expansion was “Touching Tomorrow Today.” That has truly happened at Trinity. Please take a moment to watch this informative video about the Say Amen program: The total cost of this program was almost $10 million. As of the end of last year, we have paid off all but $900,000 of this amount, a remarkable accomplishment in itself! Now it is time to finish what we started – to “Say Amen” to this debt. The Finance Committee has set a goal of retiring this remaining debt in 2012, by asking each of us to make a one time gift and/or a one year commitment for this purpose. This will free us for future ministry opportunities and insure that our growth can continue. The word “amen” comes from a Hebrew word which means to strengthen or confirm. When we say “amen,” it is a way of affirming, joining our voices to a word or action. I invite you to join in affirming the future by completing what we began six years ago. February 12 is “SAY AMEN SUNDAY.” On that Sunday, we will have an opportunity to make gifts and/or commitments to Say Amen to our debt.  News 2012-02-12T17:21:55-06:00 Trinity Men will hold their Spring 2012 Kickoff Event on Thursday evening, February 9 at 6 PM. All men are invited to join the men’s ministry for dinner and to hear guest speaker, Richard Simmons, III. Simmons is an author and founder of the Center for Executive Leadership, a nonprofit ministry focusing on evangelism and discipleship for men. His book, True Measure of a Man, is available in bookstores and online. For tickets and more info, please contact Rev. Drew Holland at 879-1737 or Richard Simmons III - A native of Birmingham, he received his B.A. from the University of the South (Sewanee) in Economics in 1976. Soon after, he moved to Atlanta for a year of graduate school at Georgia State, where he studied Risk Management and Insurance. Simmons began his 25 year career back in Birmingham with Hilb, Rogal, and Hamilton, a property and casualty insurance business. The first 15 years of his new career were spent in sales and then he became the CEO for the next 10 years before retiring. Much of his time was spent volunteering for a youth organization called Young Life, a ministry for teenagers. Through this experience with Young Life, Simmons realized his gift of teaching and communicating his faith to men. He began several men’s Bible studies and developed an Investigative Bible Study for men who were inquisitive about the Christian faith. In December of 2000 Simmons founded the Center for Executive Leadership, a nonprofit ministry focusing on evangelism and discipleship for men. When he’s not spending time with his wife and three children, you will find Richard teaching, counseling, writing, or speaking to men’s groups across the country. News 2012-02-09T18:24:11-06:00 Connect - 2012 Guide to Ministry Where will you serve in 2012? As you read through the various ministries at Trinity, you will find many ways to become involved in the life of the church. Additionally, you will see “Connection Points” which are ways that you can serve others as part of the body of Christ. Each Connection Point corresponds to a listing on the 2012 Time and Talent card located in the center of the magazine. If you already serve in one or more of these areas, we ask that you still submit a Time and Talent card so our record remains current. You may also submit your Time and Talent card online at http://www.trinitybirmingham.com at the end of January. Connect Sunday is February 5! On Sunday, February 5, you will have the opportunity to turn in your Time and Talent card during a special moment in our worship services. Children will also have an opportunity to participate. Cards for kids will be located in the pew racks. Make plans to join us in worship on February 5! Questions? Contact Karen Smith at 879-1737 or ksmith@trinitybirmingham.com. News 2012-02-05T14:33:57-06:00 JANUARY 11 - Wednesday Supper will return along with Children’s Choirs & Handbells. Mark your calendar and plan to join your church family for dinner and fellowship. Find menus and make a reservation online, click here. News 2012-01-11T15:55:40-06:00 Children’s Services 4:00 & 5:00 PM | Wesley Hall These services are designed especially for families with young children. The children are encouraged to dress as Mary, Joseph, shepherds, angels or manger animals, and become a part of the Nativity story. Costumes available. Personal Communion 4:00 - 6:00 PM | Sanctuary Come and go at any time during these two hours for an intimate time of family or individual worship and communion. Candlelight Communion 7:00 & 11:00 PM | Sanctuary Trinity’s traditional services of Christmas with music, word, candlelight and communion. With special music by Trinity Sanctuary Choir, Cross & Flame Youth Choir, Trinity String Orchestra and Organ Please note: Nursery Not Available on Christmas Eve. --- Join us for worship on Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25. 10:00 AM - Traditional Worship 10:00 AM - Contact Worship NO SUNDAY SCHOOL. NO NURSERY. On Christmas Day, we will combine our 8:45 & 11 AM traditional worship services. We will gather for one family-friendly, casual service at 10AM in the Sanctuary. The 11:15 Contact service will be held at 10:00 AM in Wesley Hall. Children may bring a special toy for “A Blessing of the Toys” moment at both services. News 2011-12-24T18:47:33-06:00 A family-friendly evening of caroling, storytelling, and experiencing the Journey to Bethlehem. Sunday, December 11 - Begin in the Fellowship Hall at 5:30 PM Join us for a magical night of caroling and seasonal fun. The evening will begin in the Fellowship Hall at 5:30 PM with hot chocolate. There you will hear a message from the angel Gabriel and receive a caroling candle. Next, you will leave in groups to carol to Trinity members’ homes located in the neighborhood directly behind the church. Your group will stop at two homes...one to hear the story of Joseph, and one to hear the story of Mary and Elizabeth. Along the way, enjoy cookies and caroling back to the Sanctuary for a holiday sing-along. The evening will conclude by hearing the Nativity Story from Andy Wolfe. This family-friendly event is for all ages. For more info, or to volunteer to help, contact Jennifer Mummert at 873-9591 or jennifer_mummert@hotmail.com. News 2011-12-11T13:42:40-06:00 We are currently surveying all Trinity members and guests. Please take 5 minutes to complete a brief 8 question survey. Click here to get started. News 2011-11-20T15:41:25-06:00 THANKS BE TO GOD! Join us in the Sanctuary this Saturday, October 29 at 9 AM. Come as you are and gather to pray for our members and their commitments that will be made the following morning on Celebration Sunday. We will gather in the Sanctuary for brief instructions and then we will move through the Sanctuary and Wesley Hall praying for those who will sit in the pews on Sunday. We are asking for a short amount of your time, 45 minutes to an hour. Would you prayerfully consider attending this prayer vigil? Questions? Contact the campaign prayer coordinator, Julie Mizerany, at jmizerany@bellsouth.net. News 2011-10-29T14:14:42-06:00 Stewardship 2012...details and information link. Dear Friends, Author Thornton Wilder once wrote that, We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. Paul puts it this way in II Corinthians – we are “enriched in every way” through thanksgiving to God. Research has consistently shown that gratitude has a positive effect on our physical health, our psychological well-being, and on our relationships with others. Psychologist Robert Emmonds in his research has found that gratitude allows us to participate more in life. We notice the positives more and that magnifies the pleasures we get from life. Instead of adapting to goodness – we celebrate goodness! Thanks be to God is a response we use each Sunday in worship at Trinity. Worship centers in the recognition that life, grace, love and forgiveness are all gifts beyond our deserving. In worship, we celebrate the goodness of God and offer our response to that goodness. Gratitude and generosity go together. In the coming weeks at Trinity we will focus on developing a life of gratitude and generosity. You will be receiving materials in the mail including a set of post-it notes. We encourage you to use these to list things for which you are grateful and post them in a visible place in your home, car or office as a reminder.  As a church family, we have so much for which to be grateful! Look for the post-it notes around the church also. You will have the opportunity to post what you are grateful for on designated bulletin boards throughout the building. On Sunday, October 30, each of us will have the opportunity to express our gratitude in a concrete way through an estimate of our giving to the ministry of Trinity for the coming year.  Join us during this time as we discover the joy of gratitude and generosity. Andy --- Dr. Andy Wolfe, Senior Pastor Stewardship 2012...details and information link. News 2011-10-02T15:20:42-06:00 GROW With Us! August 14 • 10 AM For Children & Youth Parents please accompany your children to their new Sunday School classes for a meet and greet with teachers at 10 AM. Receive a Big Top armband and proceed to choir sign-ups in the gathering area on the first floor outside the elementary classrooms. Here your child will receive their first Big Top prize! Hurry to the Big Top for more prize opportunities in the gym. Enter with your child’s armband and enjoy carnival games, popcorn, live music, jugglers, balloon makers and more! August 21 • 10 AM For All Adults Growing Together in Study… 10 AM, Gym. Come one and all to celebrate under the Big Tent for a time of fellowship with special music by the Dill Pickers, food and more! Visit ministry booths to learn about the small group studies, Sunday School classes, musical ensembles and many other growth opportunities Trinity has to offer. Don’t miss this wonderful time of celebration and inspiration. News 2011-08-14T15:47:57-06:00