Pastor Brian's Blog

On Sun., Nov. 29, Bishop Sally Dyck will visit Trinity.  She will preach at both worship services and lead a forum discussion in the Parlor at 9:30 a.m. as part of Trinity’s exploration of becoming a Reconciling Church in ministry with people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.     Consecrated as a bishop in 2004, Bishop Dyck’s first episcopal assignment was the Minnesota Area, then she was assigned to the Chicago Area in 2012.  Even bishops are told where to go.  Her leadership priorities are based on the Great Commandment and the Great Commission: to guide people to love God with their whole selves and daily practice spiritual disciplines and to share God's love with those who do not know God. At the time of her election as a bishop, she was the District Superintendent of the Cleveland District in the East Ohio Conference.  She is a graduate of Boston University School of Theology and United Theological Seminary in Dayton, ...

On Sun., Nov. 8 our District Superintendent Dr. Zaki L. Zaki will preach at Trinity during both worship  services.  He will meet with the Staff-Parish Relations Committee immediately after 10:30 worship, and then preside over the annual Charge Conference of Trinity United Methodist Church at Noon.   Please make reservations with Beth Swann if you would like to order lunch.   To most people the word “conference” means a boring meeting.  But from the beginning of Methodism, “conferencing” was a means of grace, a way of encouraging one another in the power of the Holy Spirit.  We are held in the bonds of God’s love by our practice of conferencing, whereby we renew our faith in Christ and take responsibility for our mission. Here’s a summary of a Charge Conference: it is the connecting link between the local church and the general Church and has general oversight of the Church Council.  The primary purpose of a Charge Conference...

Dear Friends in Christ, What is the church?  The church may be considered in terms of our location, nature, redemption, shape, ministry, mission, and inclusivity.  According to Everist and Nessan in Transforming Leadership , the church may also be described in terms of our strength.  But we have to be specific about our strength.  It is not strength that comes from the raw power to control or destroy, nor is it strength that comes from robust health and abundant wealth.  In fact, these external measures of strength can mask our true strength.  Relying on those types of strength can give us a false sense of security with the result that we ignore the real source of our strength. The strength of the church comes from our Savior Jesus who suffered on the cross.  He showed his strength paradoxically by yielding his will and submitting to the will of his Father.  Through his suffering, Jesus has demonstrated the strength of God, a far grea...

Consecration Sunday is November 15, 2015.     Our Guest Leader this year is the Rev. Dr. Norma Lee Barnhart, a recently retired pastor of the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church.     For many years, Dr. Barnhart was the pastor of First United Methodist Church in Elmhurst.  During that time, Elmhurst First became a reconciling congregation and initiated a capital campaign.  Norma Lee also served churches in Chicago, Oak Park, and Rockford.  She is a talented musician and enjoys quilting.   The Leadership Dinner  (by invitation) will be Sunday, November 8 at 6:00 p.m. at Jilly's Cafe 2614 Green Bay Rd. in Evanston.   Dr. Barnhart will give a short inspirational message. On  Consecration Sunday, November 15 , you are  invited to one of the  Celebration Meals  after worship, which will be a special prepared meal, not a potluck.  Reservations for the brunch (9...