Trinity Press
Trinity Press is the monthly newsletter of Trinity Presbyterian Church. Here you can find current and upcoming events and congregational news.
The congregation is encouraged to submit articles/information that may be relevant for this newsletter to Pastor LaVera via her email by the 22nd of the month. Ideas include: notes to the congregation, community ministry news, community events, volunteer opportunities, and celebrations.
The congregation is encouraged to submit articles/information that may be relevant for this newsletter to Pastor LaVera via her email by the 22nd of the month. Ideas include: notes to the congregation, community ministry news, community events, volunteer opportunities, and celebrations.
Aug. 2024
From the Pastor
I attended New Hope Presbytery’s mini-Matthew 25 conference. The workshop I chose was with Rev. Dr. Jerry Cannon on Building Congregational Vitality, specifically, sustainable ministry. Dr. Cannon chose to focus on individual ministry sustainability—resisting burnout and from there applying it to the church. He reminded us that it is important for us and as a church to remember our “why”. This is a concept I have learned in weight loss. That if you don’t have a strong enough “why,” you are far less likely to stick to a diet or exercise program. Rather than what are we doing, we need to ask why are we doing it. If we know our why, the what we can do will follow. Can you verbalize Trinity’s “why”? As defined on the denomination’s Matthew 25 website: “Congregational vitality is measured by a congregation’s spiritual strength and capacity for purposeful mission. Congregational vitality is evident in a worshiping community when its structural systems, finances and discipleship practices are aligned in such a way that the community is actively engaged in the mission of God in their local community and the world, and they are powerfully focused on growing as disciples in the way of Jesus Christ.” A strong “why” is the key to aligning these things.It's time for us to start dreaming big. Below you will read that we are moving along in our Project Regeneration process with an offer on our vacant lot. We also already have interest in the building. In the not-to-distant future, we will go from struggling to pay our bills to having financial resources for mission and ministry. Of course, we want to put missions and outreach back into our budget for coming years. Of course, we want to share with our presbytery and local missions, and hopefully take on supporting a global project or missionary (beyond Operation Christmas Child?). But let’s dream bigger! What can we do long-term to help eradicate systemic poverty in Havelock? I have an idea focused on the working poor I will share at a later date, but I hope that you will start to dream big!
Attention Members!
There will be a congregational meeting immediately following worship on August 18 to vote on whether or not to accept an offer on our vacant lot. Offer details are on the back table. The nominating committee will also give their report for approval. God has a plan for us.
Worship News
We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper in worship on Sunday, Aug. 4.
Bible Study
A new Bible study series will begin in August. Called “Outrageous Justice” this series goes right along with our Matthew 25 initiatives of Eradicating Systemic Poverty and Dismantling Structural Racism. As you learn about justice and injustice in our prison system, you will receive several concrete action steps you can take depending on your desired level of engagement. This series does have a video component.
Scout News
August is the month that the Scouts gear back up in full. On Monday, Aug. 12, there will be a Court of Honor at 6:30 pm to award merit badges, many of which were earned or started at summer camp, as well as to see who has earned their next rank! A potluck dinner will follow the event.
Wider Church News
The annual small church gathering of the Presbytery of New Hope will be Saturday, November 9 at Howard Memorial Presbyterian Church in Tarboro, NC. Registration is now open. A flyer about the event is on the bulletin board. To register, go to https://nhpresbytery.org/small-church-gathering-registration-form/ or see Rev. Parato. The Presbytery of Coastal Carolina will have its East Community Regional Gathering on Saturday, Nov. 16 at Sneads Ferry Presbyterian Church. Registration is not open yet, but save the date if you are interested. You are encouraged to attend one or both of these gatherings.
Community News
Saturday, Aug. 3 is Havelock’s monthly Farmer’s Market.
The 13th annual free Family Fly-In STEM Night will be held at the Havelock Tourist and Event Center on Friday, Aug. 9 from 5pm to 7pm. Sponsored by the Eastern Carolina Aviation Heritage Foundation, the event will include science, technology, math, and engineering activities with prizes and school supplies being given out. Or, go the park at 6 pm to see the British Invaders band covering British hits from the 1960’s and 70’s.
Important Dates in August
Aug. 3 – 8:00 am to Noon Havelock Farmer’s Market
Aug. 4 – Worship w/Communion
Bible study following worship
Aug. 11 – Bible study following worship
Aug. 12 - 6:30 pm Scout Court of Honor
Aug. 14 - 5:30 pm Session meeting with dinner
Aug. 18 - Called Congregational Meeting immediately following worship
Aug. 25 – Bible study following worship
From the Pastor
I attended New Hope Presbytery’s mini-Matthew 25 conference. The workshop I chose was with Rev. Dr. Jerry Cannon on Building Congregational Vitality, specifically, sustainable ministry. Dr. Cannon chose to focus on individual ministry sustainability—resisting burnout and from there applying it to the church. He reminded us that it is important for us and as a church to remember our “why”. This is a concept I have learned in weight loss. That if you don’t have a strong enough “why,” you are far less likely to stick to a diet or exercise program. Rather than what are we doing, we need to ask why are we doing it. If we know our why, the what we can do will follow. Can you verbalize Trinity’s “why”? As defined on the denomination’s Matthew 25 website: “Congregational vitality is measured by a congregation’s spiritual strength and capacity for purposeful mission. Congregational vitality is evident in a worshiping community when its structural systems, finances and discipleship practices are aligned in such a way that the community is actively engaged in the mission of God in their local community and the world, and they are powerfully focused on growing as disciples in the way of Jesus Christ.” A strong “why” is the key to aligning these things.It's time for us to start dreaming big. Below you will read that we are moving along in our Project Regeneration process with an offer on our vacant lot. We also already have interest in the building. In the not-to-distant future, we will go from struggling to pay our bills to having financial resources for mission and ministry. Of course, we want to put missions and outreach back into our budget for coming years. Of course, we want to share with our presbytery and local missions, and hopefully take on supporting a global project or missionary (beyond Operation Christmas Child?). But let’s dream bigger! What can we do long-term to help eradicate systemic poverty in Havelock? I have an idea focused on the working poor I will share at a later date, but I hope that you will start to dream big!
Attention Members!
There will be a congregational meeting immediately following worship on August 18 to vote on whether or not to accept an offer on our vacant lot. Offer details are on the back table. The nominating committee will also give their report for approval. God has a plan for us.
Worship News
We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper in worship on Sunday, Aug. 4.
Bible Study
A new Bible study series will begin in August. Called “Outrageous Justice” this series goes right along with our Matthew 25 initiatives of Eradicating Systemic Poverty and Dismantling Structural Racism. As you learn about justice and injustice in our prison system, you will receive several concrete action steps you can take depending on your desired level of engagement. This series does have a video component.
Scout News
August is the month that the Scouts gear back up in full. On Monday, Aug. 12, there will be a Court of Honor at 6:30 pm to award merit badges, many of which were earned or started at summer camp, as well as to see who has earned their next rank! A potluck dinner will follow the event.
Wider Church News
The annual small church gathering of the Presbytery of New Hope will be Saturday, November 9 at Howard Memorial Presbyterian Church in Tarboro, NC. Registration is now open. A flyer about the event is on the bulletin board. To register, go to https://nhpresbytery.org/small-church-gathering-registration-form/ or see Rev. Parato. The Presbytery of Coastal Carolina will have its East Community Regional Gathering on Saturday, Nov. 16 at Sneads Ferry Presbyterian Church. Registration is not open yet, but save the date if you are interested. You are encouraged to attend one or both of these gatherings.
Community News
Saturday, Aug. 3 is Havelock’s monthly Farmer’s Market.
The 13th annual free Family Fly-In STEM Night will be held at the Havelock Tourist and Event Center on Friday, Aug. 9 from 5pm to 7pm. Sponsored by the Eastern Carolina Aviation Heritage Foundation, the event will include science, technology, math, and engineering activities with prizes and school supplies being given out. Or, go the park at 6 pm to see the British Invaders band covering British hits from the 1960’s and 70’s.
Important Dates in August
Aug. 3 – 8:00 am to Noon Havelock Farmer’s Market
Aug. 4 – Worship w/Communion
Bible study following worship
Aug. 11 – Bible study following worship
Aug. 12 - 6:30 pm Scout Court of Honor
Aug. 14 - 5:30 pm Session meeting with dinner
Aug. 18 - Called Congregational Meeting immediately following worship
Aug. 25 – Bible study following worship