The schedule is as follows:
June 3rd “Making Merry with Music” led by Trinity’s Youth Group
June 10th “Creating Your Own Wooden Toys” led by Charles Lowery
June 17th- “Finding the Artist in You” led by Nancy Underwood
June 24th “Making Cookies for Starkville’s Casserole Kitchen” (Trinity is providing the Casserole Kitchen meal on June 26th) led by Connie Wilson. In addition, Luanne Blankenship will lead in making napkin rings and table decorations for Casserole Kitchen
July 1st “Getting Better Acquainted with the Insects and Bugs in Our Neighborhood” led by Frank Davis
July 8th “Sun Painting Bandannas and a Cloth for the Worship Table” led by Luanne Blankenship
July 15th “How We Help Make Clean Water in El Salvador” led by Tom Ritter and Ron Losure
July 22nd “Exploring the Church through Photography” led by Mark Goodman
July 29th “Using Sun Prints to Create a Banner for the Sanctuary” led by Luanne Blankenship

Remarks to St. Andrew Presbytery
Election of Commissioners to General Assembly
Buren Blankenship
May 1, 2012

I grew up in a town of about 18,000 in Northeast Alabama. I have been reflecting on some lessons I learned there. Some of them are contradictory. I learned about sorting out where people belong. At the time, it seemed to me that there were four basic groups of churches. Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Something Else. Before long, the category of Something Else began exploding both in numbers of choices and numbers of people. A Presbyterian congregation nurtured me in the love and grace of God. It also taught me about the reality that strong opinions will clash.
I learned how to sort people into Us and Them. Everyone had to be an Alabama fan or an Auburn fan. This division ruled Saturdays. But the rest of the week, the two sides were forced to accept each other as one’s school mates, teammates, fellow church members, customers, friends, and even family members.
I learned about people who are different from me. We lived a few blocks from the state schools for the deaf and blind and the Presbyterian Home for Children. There is also a racial ethnic college. My parents treated persons from these diverse populations with respect, kindness, and care. Not everyone did. I had close friends among the children who couldn’t live with their families because of abuse, neglect, or economics. I once experienced worship with a deaf congregation and trying to preach for them. Those who cannot hear can feel music. Those whose eyes do not function can “see” with their hands and ears. In daily living, I learned that those with harsh limitations can soar in spirit and accomplishments. All are God’s children.
I learned about change. Mostly, we didn’t like it, especially when we were not in the driver’s seat. The threat of change created deep fear. In terms of desegregation, most of those corporate fears did not come true.
Thanks to the efforts of a man in my home church, NASCAR came to our county. It built the fastest, longest, stock car racetrack anywhere. Sportscasters turned us into Talladayga instead of Talladega. We survived and inherited a new identity.
My perspective is that change has been barreling along at 200 miles per hour through life and church ever since.
In the Presbyterian Church, we swap out our vocabulary, structure, and rule book every few years. We remain keenly aware of change and the threat of upheaval. We respond with fear and anxiety. We want to divide into Us and Them. We want to cluster with people who are like ourselves.
Yet, we talk about a Sovereign God who loves the world and works all things together for good, a Savior who died for everyone, and a Spirit who is active in all aspects of life.
We are in a time of transition. We do not yet know what we will be. Many congregations are addressing needs in community and world with innovative ministries. They are creating the future, a servant church. There is great energy and enthusiasm in many local churches.
I don’t know what issues will be before the denomination when the General Assembly convenes in two years. Most likely they will be thorny and complex. I expect to approach the business of the church with study, prayer, openness, and care for all. God is not through with us yet. And the God of hope still will be working out God’s purposes in 2014.

Palm Sunday celebrated on April 1, (with special Eco-Palm branches).

The service began with a procession of the entire congregation into the Sanctuary with palms. The special service replaced the formal sermon with songs and Scripture readings by members. It concluded with Communion.

Maundy Thursday on April 5, 5:30 p.m., (service in the Fellowship
Hall includes supper, communion and activities.)
Good Friday on April 6, (sanctuary will be open for prayer and
Meditation from 9 am to 3 pm.)
Easter on April 8. (Eastern on April 15),  includes Communion.
( special Easter egg hunt and brunch following worship.

All in all, the last of March and early April one of two most active periods

of church liturgy, certainly for Christianity.

A student speaker from Columbia Theological Seminary delivered the message on the Fifth Sunday Service at Trinity, March 25th.

She has many years experience as illustrator and teacher and is now exploring an alternate vocation.

See El Salvador Trip page above for photographs.

Bridge enthusiasts start bidding about 9.a.m each Wednesday (all levels are welcomed). Yoga for Seniors begins at 9:30 a.m. every Tuesday in the fellowship hall…men and women, young and old are invited.

Violins, guitars, banjos and other acoustic strings will make music from 10 a.m. to noon on the 2nd and 4th Saturday. Don’t fiddle around and miss this informal playing and sharing!

Participation in all programs has been great so far, but there’s always room for one more. Join in some of these creative activities for spiritual growth, fellowship and fun.

More information and updates are available on a web site
accessible through trinity@trinitypcusa,org.

Trinity Pastor Blankenship will speak on “Hope”

Click on link above to open the center website; from there one can navigate the center pages.

After a number of meetings and  consideration of a wide range of suggestions, the committee focused on a version which was accepted by everyone on the committee.

It was then presented to the Session with a request for approval. They, the session, approved.

The revised statement is given below with the hope and belief that it accurately portrays Trinity Presbyterian Church and it’s beliefs and goals.

The mission of Trinity Presbyterian Church is to create a safe environment for anyone to learn, explore, and seek God. Jesus is among us when we make room for all persons with their questions, doubts, beliefs, ideas, and passion. We take seriously Jesus’ assurance, “What you do for the least of these in my name, you do for me.” We are ever seeking to grow in faith, understanding, service, and love.