September Pastor's Note

Who is God calling us to be in this time and place? This was a foundational question for the pilgrims who gathered here in 1962. When Trinity was chartered in 1963, it was already a community deeply grounded in the practice of discernment. We still are!

Back then, we were very much a neighborhood church. Today, our members come from near and far to worship together - VERY far, including our friends in India! While most of our members are not close enough to walk to church, we are still integrated into the local neighborhood and community. Our composition has changed, the neighborhood and community of Harrisonburg have changed, and God is continuing to call us, in this time and place, to mission and ministry. 

This question is also central to the work we’ve done over the past year in discerning the short- and long-term plan for the grounds. The task force has worked diligently over the past year, and we are continuing to solidify our recommendations for next steps. Starting with our church retreat, which will be Sunday, September 27 at the Seminary Chapel at EMU, we will begin having more conversations about who we are and what God is calling us to do, and how this is inviting us to proceed with work on the grounds.

This timeline and project also coincide - providentially, one might say - with our participation in the Seminary for Every Congregation project through EMU, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and Union Presbyterian Seminary. Our team of leaders includes Mark Facknitz, Teresa Harris, Judy LePera, and Mary Lou McMillin, and over the next month we will be working to articulate a central question for focus in this project. The overarching question is still what God is calling us to do in this time and this place, but underneath that are questions of identity and community. 

Looking specifically at the use of the grounds and our physical location at the edge of Sunset Heights, our concern goes beyond maintenance projects and structures. How can we be a gift to the neighborhood and community around us? How can we benefit from the many gifts that are already here, in the neighborhood?

We look forward to continuing the discernment and conversation together! 

Grace and Peace,

Stephanie

Thank you, thank you, thank you! 

We have been so blessed to have Barbara journeying alongside us and offering pastoral care and compassion over the last number of months. When she stepped into the role for just a few months of parental leave coverage, I was immediately impressed with how she dove into building relationships and offering care and support, knowing she’d only be with us for a few months. We’re so grateful that she was willing to extend her tenure, and we’re at the difficult place of saying goodbye for now, at least in this capacity! We will have cake in Barbara’s honor on Sunday, September 13th after worship. Her final Sunday with us will be Sunday, September 20. Come see her either of those Sundays to wish her well in person. Cards may also be sent to the church office. Thank you, Barbara!

The personnel team appreciates your continued prayers as we search for our next pastoral care associate.