August Pastor's Note

In the first chapter of John’s Gospel, Jesus is asked where he is staying. His response? “Come and see.” A few verses later, Philip is telling Nathanael about Jesus. Nathanael expresses doubt, and Philip simply responds, “Come and see.” 

“Come and see” is an invitation to see where God is at work in the world. It’s an invitation to join with the body of Christ in participating in that work. On Sunday, September 7, we will have our first “Come and See” Sunday, extending the same invitations today. 

During worship, we’ll hear from all of the ministry groups (House Church and Marks Groups) that have been at work this past year, and see how God has been at work through these ministries. “Come and See” Sunday will celebrate the good work that has been done.

We’ll also have an opportunity for anyone who would like to form a new group to issue a call. If you are curious or interested in doing that, you can reach out to me or Susie Phend, the Harvest team convener for details. It’s not the only chance to do so - a new group can be formed anytime if the call arises. 

After worship, we’ll have something like a missions fair or activities fair, with group representatives in the Commons, ready to offer more information to anyone who wants to know more. The Harvest team is excited for this new thing!

While many newer members won’t know that anything is different, we also recognize that this changes the long-time patterns and rhythms at Trinity. Back when Trinity’s ministry groups were all formed as House Churches, they concluded each program year with House Church Closing worship, recognizing the importance of continuing to listen for God’s call. The needs of the world and community continue to change, and our gifts and resources are dynamic, so the places where our greatest joy meets the world’s deepest need - the ministries to which we are called - will also change over time. This is a really healthy and faithful model! 

House Church Calling Sunday followed a few weeks after the Closing, giving a fallow period to continue to discern whether to re-call, re-focus, or release the House Church. On calling Sunday, some House Churches were re-called, and new ones could be called, too. This has been the annual rhythm in our church’s history, though House Churches could be called at other times, too. Our only current House Church, Sanctuary House Church, was called in the spring of 2017 to study the issue of Sanctuary for immigrants facing deportation. Their focus has changed a bit over the years, but they have re-called every year since then, continuing to discern a call to minister with our immigrant neighbors.

House Churches have been very well-defined entities central to our ministry and identity for over 60 years. Times have changed, realities have shifted, and though we have thriving ministry groups, we are down to just one House Church. I know there has been a lot sadness over these changes. The loss is more than structural. House Churches have often been synonymous with Trinity, and it might be hard to imagine who we are without them. That grief is compounded by the deep losses we’ve had over the last few years, of beloved founding and long-time members who were such a big part of our church. It’s hard to imagine Trinity without these beloved saints. The grief is real.

However, we are Easter people. We believe in resurrection hope, new life, and transformation. We believe that God is still at work in and through us, doing a new thing. We believe that the Holy Spirit moves beyond and in spite of our attempts to define or constrain its work. We believe that we are the body of Christ, still called to follow Jesus, wherever that may lead. 

I don’t know exactly where God will lead us in the next year, years, or decades, but I trust that we will follow, discerning the new thing together, united by God’s love and the Holy Spirit. All I can say is, “Come and see!” 

Grace and peace,

Stephanie