An
Update on St. James
Dear
Saints at Trinity: I wanted to bring you up to date on the situation with St.
James and their request to enter into a dual parish arrangement with us. As you
all know, our quarterly voters meeting was held on October 18th, where the
issue was brought up. After much discussion on the pros and cons of formally
requesting to learn more about the process of forming a dual parish, a motion
was made to do so. This motion was defeated—so now, as good
Lutherans, you might be asking “What does this mean?” As far as Trinity is
concerned, the matter is closed and St. James is free to pursue other
opportunities; for example, seeking out a dual parish with another
congregation, calling a bi-vocational pastor (worker/priest), seeking another
part-time, retired pastor, or even voting to close. The Wyoming District will
be helping St. James in any way requested to help our brothers and sisters
reach a sound and God-pleasing decision as they meet again soon to discuss
matters. Please keep the saints at St. James, many of whom are well-known to us
personally, in your prayers. Pray that God would direct and guide them so that
all that is said and done brings glory to our Lord, and that they would keep in
mind that “Built on the Rock the Church shall stand Even when steeples are
falling” (LSB 645).
If you
were not at this voters meeting, perhaps you might be wondering why the
assembly voted as it did. Simply put, the consensus was that entering into a
dual parish with St. James was not something we wanted to pursue at this time.
Rather than enter into a learning process that was still going to lead to
declining the offer, we felt it best to let our brothers and sisters in Christ
know as soon as possible. To be blunt, we didn’t want to be wasting their time;
time that could be better spent examining other options available to them.
Of
course, this problem of declining attendance is not something unique to the
LCMS or the Wyoming District or our area. Trinity may be faced the same
questions that St. James is several years down the road. This is simply a
reflection of the depopulating of rural America, fewer children born to
families, and a society that no longer puts much value on church attendance.
There isn’t a lot we can do about people moving to the Front Range or Omaha for
jobs—in fact, I can’t really blame them—nor that people are having fewer
children now than in times past—although you can encourage your married
children to have children of their own. As the Psalmist wrote, “Behold,
children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like
arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the
man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks
with his enemies in the gate” (Psalm 127:3-5).
But we
can, beloved saints, give a reason for the hope that lies within us, as St.
Peter wrote (I Peter 3:15). The “veneer” of Christianity has been pretty
effectively stripped from America, and we are now in a time that many scholars
have called “post-Christian.” Well, it isn’t too surprising that people who
aren’t Christian don’t live by a Christian ethic. Therefore, give a reason as
to why you believe what you believe to those around you, and invite those the
Lord brings into your life to come and hear the Word proclaimed. The Lord
builds His Church, but He uses means to create and sustain our faith—this
doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and so if people never hear the Word, how will they
come to faith? Invite your friends and neighbors; invite those whom you might
not socialize with normally; invite the lonely and the gregarious; invite the
rich and the poor; invite black and white, yellow and brown, young and
old—whomever they may be. May our gracious Lord use us mightily to expand His
Kingdom on earth!
October Voters Meeting Minutes
Trinity’s
Quarterly Voters meeting was held on Thursday, October 19th at 8 PM .
Don Bowlin called the meeting to order and Pastor gave the opening devotion. The minutes of the July Voter’s Meeting were
read and approved. Elders Report: Julie Alkire’s transfer was approved.
Trustees Report: Virgil Ritz stated he will be setting up a work day to trim
trees and bushes, at the parsonage, as well as looking for any other potential
problems. Sunday School report was presented by Pastor, there are 2 teachers
with 6-10 kids. In new business it was moved by Wes Bowlin and seconded by Levi
Bowlin to nominate Marvin Temme to be the Pine Ridge Circuit Visitor. There
were no volunteers to be the lay delegate to the Circuit Forum, so Don Bowlin
has agreed to serve Election of officers for 2018 are as follows:
Chairman:
Don Bowlin, Treasurer Harlan Kurtz, Secretary: Gerald Ritz. Elder (3 year term) Levi Bowlin, Trustee (3
year term) Gary Williams, SS Superintendent: Roxane Humphrey, Financial
Secretary: Susan Williams, and Head Usher: Rudy Landreth. By ballot vote Karen
Ritz, Jon Warneke, and Elmer Wohl were elected to the finance board. Motion was
made by Pastor and seconded by Wes Bowlin to nominate for District office the
following: President: Rev. John Hill first choice, with Rev. Richard Neugebauer
being second choice. For First Vice President the choices were Rev. Richard
Neugebauer: first choice and Rev. John Hill second choice. With no other
business to discuss the meeting was closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
LWML News
Trinity Women’s Society LWML will meet November 8 at
7pm at the church. Pastor Humphrey will
lead the bible study. We will have
election of officers, make plans for the Advent Soup Supper December 13; and
select items for our Christmas mission gifts and Christmas stocking. We will also send Christmas cards to our
Veterans and all service members. It’s
Snack Night and members are reminded to bring a favorite snack to enjoy. All women of the congregation are invited
and welcome to attend. A special thanks to Virginia for displaying the LWML
banners in the sanctuary for the month of October.
DATES TO REMEMBER FOR NOVEMBER
November 1 Mike Strauch Birthday
November 1 Addison Bowlin
Birthday
November 3 Nancy Wohl Birthday
November 8 Michelle Hill Baptismal Date
November 11 Armeda Freel Birthday
November 12 Elmer Wohl Baptismal Date
