Toys Looking for a Home?

Any toys or books looking for a new home?

Trinity's kids will collect them. The kids of Trinity are in the midst of a toy and book drive to help other kids at Safe Harbor Inn, a transitional housing program in Anchorage. Any gently used (but not used up) toy or book is welcome. Drop the items in the brightly colored bins at Trinity to help other kids.

Questions? See Megan Holliday, Children's Ministry Coordinator

Some Thoughts Courtesy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer

My husband recently returned from a Stephen Ministry Leadership training in Portland (more about this ministry and its impact on Trinity in a later post), and he brought back a copy of "Seize the Day" (with Dietrich Bonhoeffer), a day-by-day meditation/inspiration book that has, indeed, provided me much opportunity for both.

Bonhoeffer, who spent his adult life resisting with faith the Nazi regime and ultimately died due to his faith-driven convictions, provided the prayers and thoughts passed along in this little book. Some statements are unconventional, some uncomfortable, but all are meant to allow us the opportunity to "seize" our daily lives.

With so much going on in my own world, I often don't take the time to consider words of people like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, but I should. I don't like uncomfortable, painful experiences. Who would? I question, I rail against that which hurts. Check out what I found in yesterday's reading...

"You have granted me many blessings; now let me also accept which is hard from your hand. You will make all things work together for good for your children."
-Prayer from prison.

Take My Life

Growing up immersed in the Catholicism, Lent was one of three biggie seasons for us kids. Enrolled in parochial school practically my entire life, the months before Easter were full of rituals meant to prepare us for Easter Sunday, the most glorious, holy, and special day in the Catholic Church. For me and my siblings, however, Lent meant a List.

This List, created by me, and most of my classmates at St. Louise Catholic School, was devised as a way for us to remember all the things we were not supposed to do during Lent. Want that hamburger on Friday? Nope. A friend is having a sleepover on Saturday night? Sorry, can't miss Sunday Mass during Lent. But worst of all, we had to give up something; something big, like refraining from candy, or watching TV, or bugging your parents for new bell bottom jeans. Lent as a child meant a world of "don'ts", of "no ways", and "can't dos". Even now I feel guilt if I eat anything but tuna casserole on Friday for fear Sister Helen Francis will rise from her grave and haunt my eternal digestion.

I experienced something different last night. Ash Wednesday service at Trinity was the first time I had ever heard about what I might DO during Lent, instead of what I WILL NOT.

"Engagement", I believe, was the term used. Acts of stewardship, service, studying the scripture, sharing my faith with others, even hosting a party, for heaven's sake. Whoa. This is not the Lent I know. Some of the suggestions are still difficult for an introvert such as myself who finds ways to hide behind a laptop screen and emote virtually, but nearly all of them seem much more attainable and sustainable because of their positive nature than the knuckle-rapping no-no's of my youth.

It's much, much more comfortable to be uncomfortable this year. What were the words of a song we sang together? "Take my mind, transform it...Take my will, conform it...to yours, to yours, to yours...

That's what He wants from us.

Am I A Christian Bigot?

by Melody Balcao

Put your thinking caps on: I have a few questions that puzzle me and, I believe, directly affect my witness to those around me. Here's the scripture reference: "A new command I give you; Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13: 34-35).

Here is my question: Do we know how this "Love" thing works? We speak about reaching out to the community with God's love and compassion, but can we effectively do this if we do not know how to love one another? I am speaking of the Christian church as a whole; our brothers and sisters in Christ, who worship in other places, have chosen to serve Christ, love God, and worship Him with their whole being. But we disagree with them.

Do we hold on to grudges and allow bitterness to be the lens by which we view these people? How does this affect our witness? It is said that often those we know best hurt us the deepest, but as a Christian I think the scripture speaking of love, holding no record of wrongs (1 Cor. 13:5) might apply.

Do we judge? Call names? Box in with stereotypes? How do I step into, or out of, this place without condemning myself in the process (i.e. becoming judgmental)?

Share your thoughts. Give us a time when you, perhaps, were that person.

More From 30-Minute Service Sunday

Still more highlights from Trinity's 30-Minute Service Sunday project are coming into InsideOut. This from the Trinity Trapliners:

"Seven Trapliners arrived at Safe Harbor Muldoon to donate time and needed items (coffee, toilet paper, nacho chips, and cake). We removed ceiling tiles to locate a major roof leak, replaced light bulbs, reorganized the library, repared furniture, mopped floors, removed old carpeting, swept floors, and did general housekeeping to the common areas."

Thanks Trapliners, for spending time at Safe Harbor, they sure appreciated the extra hands!

The Trinity Chicks at Ski 4 Women

This from Lisa Darnell, one of the "Trinity Chicks" who supported Abused Women Aid In Crisis at the annual Ski 4 Women event, conveniently held during our 30-Minute Service Sunday.

Lisa adds this appropriate and compassionate message along with her great photo:

"Matt 18:20. For where two or three come together in My name, there I am with them. Trinity Chicks were joined by butterflies, snow crabs, fish, mosquitoes, flamingos, and a multitude of other creatures from God's kingdom to support abused women."

Amen!

A Day of Discovery

Discovery comes in many forms. Today it came from five children who, in the course of an hour, discovered that helping people can be fun and indeed make a difference.

Ten of us altogether, parents and kids working in tandem at Safe Harbor Inn to clean, sanitize, and organize toys and equipment in the play area. As a group we discovered how much work we could accomplish in a short 60 minutes. As parents, we discovered the ability of young children to empathize and care about other people.

Armed with santitizing wipes, the kids dug into toy boxes, drawers and cupboards to clean up hundreds of cars, dolls, and action figures, with a minimum of playing themselves. Parents washed infant toys, vacuumed, and organized the entire space.

The most amazing part? There was no asking "When are we done?" "How much longer?"

My son, five, told me tonight that he had fun at Safe Harbor. "Was that good?" he asked.

Yes, I replied. Very good.

Pouring Out in Anchorage

I'M SO EXCITED!!!

Today...in just a few hours...is Trinity's annual 30-Minute Service!! At 10:30 this morning we will join together for worship and at 11am we will disperse to the community to serve!

Jesus loved us first so we are taking special time today to show others that love in a way that makes sense to us. I'm going with at group of kids and adults to serve lunch to Fire Station #9 on Huffman...stay tuned for cool details about our day!

We all want to hear what you did today to show Jesus' love to Anchorage, so when you get home, post a comment about your experience.

We aren't looking for profound, ground-breaking experiences (although we do want to hear about those), we're looking for any experience...

What stood out to you today? What conversations did you have? How did people respond to you?

-by Megan Holliday

Lunch and Learn

Not having a teenager in my house just now, I have been somewhat out of the loop when it comes to the nuances of the 13-18 age group. Not for lack of trying, mind you, but without our own personal teen living and breathing in the home, sometimes the Kirkland Dorky-Adult-Radar seems to work overtime with respect to kids with whom we come in contact.

I had a chance this week, however, to redeem myself. In addition to our support of the Trinity Youth groups and South High School Drama program (a talented group of kids, btw), I attended an interesting lunchtime activity on Friday. Presented as a benefit for victims of the Haiti earthquake, the lunch was a chance for teenagers to have an outlet to help and meet other youth. Invitations were sent to Grace Christian School, South Anchorage High, and the Young Life program participants to pay $3 for a simple lunch and "hang-out" time at Trinity.

About ten kids showed up for the hot dog, mac 'n cheese, and soup lunch, during which time they also watched a dvd called Playing for Change, a musical masterpiece featuring known and not-so-known artists in a world-collaborative effort.

Everybody seemed to be having a good time, the food was good, and the snow fell quietly outside. It was a nice break from the daily grind for both kids and adults, and plans have been solidified for a First Friday lunch in March.

And I didn't do anything particularly dorky, after all.

Photos from the Holiday Concert

Chris Thompson, a community blogger for the Anchorage Daily News and one of Trinity's biggest fans sent over some photos he took at our December 13th concert. A tandem effort between the Alaska Jazz Workshop and Trinity's own Worship Band, a crowded house heard incredible sounds and songs throughout the evening concert.

Hosted by Trinity and held in the transformed lobby area, the performance provided Trinity members to attend with non-churched friends or acquaintances, a nice way to introduce people from the surrounding neighborhoods and greater Anchorage area to our going's on. Jazz night was the second in a series of holiday-themed concerts featuring Trinity's incredible 'sound sensations' and some talented young musicians from the community.

It was clear from resounding applause at the end of the show the evening was a complete success. You can read Chris' impressions of the performance on his ADN 'Church Visits' blog, found at the link above, or on the right in our sidebar.

Life is Inside Out This Week

Our family has heard a lot of whining this week. Most of it has come from me, to be perfectly honest. We are undergoing a complete floor replacement, and with it has come a generous amount of dis-placement that regularly threatens to send me into orbit for the chaos. If ever we were literally living "inside out", it would be this week. Our furniture is stacked in a corner, food is boxed up and sitting in my office, and the dining room table is crammed inside the kitchen. Fun? Not so much.

I had an epiphany the other day, however, while visiting with staff at Safe Harbor Inn on Muldoon Road.

I have been working with Safe Harbor in planning Trinity's visit as part of the "30-Minute Service Day" coming up this Sunday, so I communicate fairly regularly with staff, a temporary home for displaced families and others needing an affordable, safe place of residence while receiving other community services.

My frustration at not knowing where my stuff is must pale in comparison to the feeling of helplessness for some of the families who call Safe Harbor "home" for the time being. Some families have boxes and boxes of possessions that sit in cars for lack of space in their hotel-style room. Others keep clothing in suitcases, bikes and toys outside (hoping they will still be there tomorrow). Still others have nothing. And I'm complaining about my completely functional furniture corralled in a corner of my warm and cozy home, waiting for a new floor to be installed?

Humility reigns in my heart, today, as it always seems to whenever I stop running and fussing and fuming long enough to listen to its quiet reminder of blessings.

That's living Inside Out.

Date Night Does It

Hey, youth, this one's for you!

Before you read this post...take 10 seconds to think of something you like to do on a Friday night. Got one? Good.

Ryan Olson here, and I may be taking a big leap on this, but I'm guessing that "spend 3 hours running around with 20+ kids" did not make your list. Maybe it did, and if so, talk to our Children's Ministry director, Megan, immediately, because I am sure she can plug you in somewhere. Like maybe doing VBS at your house this summer...

Anyway, what I'd like to spend a minute reflecting upon is Trinity's Date Night outreach ministry. It may be a shock, but several of the youth, and me, did spend 3 hours running around with 20+ kids last Friday night. We've banded together once a month to give parents a break and allow them the opportunity to spend a few hours alone.

We had six adults and ten youth volunteer their Friday evening with kids from Huffman, Trinity, and all around the Anchorage community. We played tag, went sledding, ate string cheese and goldfish crackers, and even made a dogpile of kids on our student leader, Courtney (always a big hit). We were able to provide an adult/youth contact for every three kids, and each one that showed up encountered something real, worthwhile, and meaningful. Wow.

The next Date Night is Friday, February 26 (parents, register by the 24th via the Trinity web site). Put it on your calendar, youth, and be a part of something Big.

-Ryan Olson, Youth Director