Trinity Church Newsletter

Dear Trinity, This last couple of weeks have been very difficult for my family and me. As you may know, it was announced on Sunday, January 27 th that Bishop Trimble, the bishop of the Indiana United Methodist Church, has appointed me to another church as of July 1 st of this year. I want to tell you personally that this came as a shock to our family. I did not request a move and the church did not request a move. However, a part of my call to ministry involves the itinerant (moving of pastors) system. Our Conference Superintendent Dave Neckers and Bishop Julius Trimble know my talents and gifts very well and upon much prayer and discernment felt that another church needed our family at this time. I will miss you all very much. You have become family and I have enjoyed my time walking with you for this part of our journey of faith. Although I am sad to leave, I must state I have not left yet. I am your pastor until June 30 th . I will not be a lame-duck but will continue my m

Last month, I shared 3 questions from one of my devotionals.   One of those questions, was, “In what ways am I being invited to grow?”   As the new year begins, I can’t help but wonder how I will be invited to grow.   Sometimes I fall into the trap of spending too much time on the “what ifs” instead of attending to “what IS.”   I have a devotional that is titled, Jesus Always: Embracing Joy in His Presence by Sarah Young. (Thanks, Dian) It’s worded as if Jesus is speaking directly to the reader.   Just when I felt 2019 was going to be a mountain to climb, these are the words I read from two different passages a couple of days apart: I AM YOUR STRENGTH! When you begin a day feeling weak and weary, it’s all right.   Your weakness can be a reminder of your need for Me.   Remember that I am with you continually—ready to help you as you go along your way.   Take My hand in joyful trust, letting Me guide you and strengthen you.   I delight in helping you, My child. … I will give y

What’s Going On? By Pastor Chris Today I am going to do one of my favorite things for this section. I am going to answer questions that no one has asked me. These are questions that have come to other people and I want to address them in case you were wondering. (If you weren’t wondering, I’m sorry.) The questions I want to answer revolve around our upcoming pastoral transition. Is Pastor Chris moving because he is tired of us? Absolutely not. I was as shocked as you were hearing the news that we were leaving. If I looked like I was not upset about this it was only because I had an extra week to process the grief of leaving. Where is Pastor Chris going? I have been appointed by the Bishop to Greensburg UMC. It is halfway between Indianapolis and Cincinnati on I-74. It is straight south of Kendallville on IN-3. Is Pastor Angie going to take over as the Lead Pastor? No. Pastor Angie is a deacon and while I know that she could take over as lead pastor this is not where her hea