Friday March 17, 2017

An eNote from Rodney

Dear Trinity Congregation,

Thank you for your understanding concerning our cancelation of worship last Sunday. I try to make the best decision I can based on everyone’s safety. We were planning on hosting the Asheville Youth Choir this past Sunday. Lee has been in touch with the choir’s director and we will be hosting them on Sunday April 2nd. The Finance committee would also like to ask a favor. Please make up the offering you would have given last Sunday. That is important for the Kingdom work we do, and thank you.

There is some church news I think most of you know but nothing formal has been said. I have requested retirement at Annual Conference in June. We have been through a lot together and the trajectory of our congregation has been gently upward and onward. For Cheryl and me to be able to spend twelve years with you has been a blessing for us and we will always be thankful to you. The Staff-Parish Relations committee, chaired by Vicki Biggers, has met with our District Superintendent, The Rev. Beth Crissman. Rev. Crissman knows our congregation and she knows West Asheville. It is her desire to find us a pastor who will take Trinity to new levels of loving God, each other and our neighbor. There will be plenty more for us to say to each other as June approaches. You are a grand congregation and whatever your dreams are for yourself, I believe you are poised for even more than that.

One example of your generosity is the Little Red Wagon. I have always loved this practice of our kids pulling the red wagon through the sanctuary while the congregation put food and other items in it. For the month of March, we will collect for Hall Fletcher Elementary School. They are in the need of the following items: disinfecting wipes, laundry detergent (liquid unscented), fruit cups, small and large size Ziploc baggies, large boxes of goldfish and animal crackers. Remember, you can bring the items on any Sunday or drop them off during the regular church office hours in the week. However on the third Sunday (Red Wagon Sunday), please keep them with you at your pew and place them in the wagon when the children come around during the opening hymn.

The third Sunday in the month is always a busy one. The United Methodist Men meet early and then Sunday School, Worship and a Church Council meeting at the end. It’s a good busy though, and I look forward to seeing you then.

Sincerely,

Rodney