THE INSPIRATIONS THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF TRINITY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST MARCH 2024 PDF Free Download
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Sing with Choir on Easter Morning, 10AM
This year we will continue our annual tradition of performing G.F. Handel’s
Hallelujah Chorus on Easter Morning. It will be especially meaningful this
year as we will be accompanied by a string quintet, woodwinds, organ, and
timpani, conducted by Director of Music, Anthony Montagno. Also, the choir
will be singing an all-time favorite from the gospel music tradition.
Additional voices paired with live orchestral accompaniment will help us to
raise the roof on this number!
If you would like to join the choir on Easter Sunday, send an e-mail to
Anthony Montagno at amontagno@trinityucc.com and you will be added to
the list to receive the cloud rehearsal items and rehearsal reminders. There
will be a rehearsal on Thursday, March 28th at 7:45PM.
Intergenerational Orchestra
If you or someone you know is a middle schooler or older and play a band or
orchestra instrument, please consider joining the intergenerational orchestra
for the 10AM Easter service. Trinity volunteers will join professional
musicians and the Sounds of Silver Flute Ensemble to learn an accessible
musical selection for the Easter prelude. Send an e-mail to Anthony
Montagno at amontagno@trinityucc.com to receive sheet music and a
demonstration recording via the cloud. Rehearsal is Thursday, March 28th at
7:00PM.
MARCH 2024
THE OFFICIAL N E W S L E TTE R O F T R INI T Y U N I T ED C H U R C H OF C H R I S T
THE
INSPIRATIONS
Trinity UCC Staff
ANdrew Taylor Peck, Ext. 101
Senior Pastor
ataylorpeck@trinityucc.com
Nick Nicholson, Ext. 106
Associate Pastor
nnicholson@trinityucc.com
Anthony Montagno, Ext. 102
Director of Music
amontagno@trinityucc.com
Abraham McCune, Ext. 112
Youth Director
amccune@trinityucc.com
Ashlie Miltner, Ext. 103
Christian Education
Director
amiltner@trinityucc.com
Tom Sherer
Consistory President
Kim Johnson, Ext. 104
Bookkeeper
kjohnson@trinityucc.com
Jen Wilhelm, Ext. 105
Office Manager
jwilhelm@trinityucc.com
Zane Yohe
Videographer
zaneyohe5@gmail.com
Karen Vrabec
Public Relations Specialist
karen@communitylinkpr.com
Jerry Patchin
Part-Time Custodian
This Lenten Season Music
Opportunities
Spotlight on our Lenten Series Author: Madeleine L’ Engle
We began the season of Lent on Ash Wednesday, February 14th and it lasts for 47 days (including Sundays) until
Easter Sunday, March 31st. Lent is one of my favorite times of the year and allows us to slow down our bust hectic
and modern lives and focus on God.
It allows us to focus on God’s presence in our lives and to connect deeply with that presence.
I started a tradition at Trinity in 2018 of highlighting a different author or poet over the season of Lent. We used
materials created by organizations like the Salt Project.org and A Sanctified Art for authors like Mary Oliver, Emily
Dickenson and Wendell Berry.
In 2023 I created a new curriculum with enormous help from our office manager Jen Wilhelm based on the writings
of Father Thomas Merton, and my 5-day silent retreat that I took during my sabbatical. This year I am creating a
second study on Madeleine L’Engle and wanted to take a moment to let you all know more about her. We are
highlighting seven of her books this year, one each week of Lent including Easter Sunday.
L' Engle was born on November 29, 1918, in New York City, as the only child of Charles Wadsworth and Madeleine
Barnett Camp, a writer and a pianist. L'Engle began writing at a young age, producing her first story when she was
only five years old. "I've been a writer ever since I could hold a pencil," L'Engle told Humanities magazine.
At the age of 12, L'Engle moved with her parents to Europe and was enrolled in a Swiss boarding school. She returned
to the United States a few years later and attended Ashley Hall, a boarding school in South Carolina. When she was
17, L'Engle lost her father. He served in the military during World War I and had been exposed to mustard gas, which
caused health problems for the rest of his life.
She attended Smith College where she earned her bachelor's degree in English in 1941. Moving to New York City,
L'Engle found work in the theater and published her first novel, The Small Rain, in 1945. She married actor Hugh
Franklin in 1946 and raised three children, Josephine, Bion and Maria.
L'Engle's children were the first audience for her best-known work, A Wrinkle in Time (1962). She read them the
story while she worked on it. After dozens of rejections, L'Engle was finally able to find a publisher for this innovative
tale. A Wrinkle in Time follows the adventures of Meg Murry as she travels through time and space to find her
missing scientist father.
She continued to write until her death in 2007. For nearly 30 years, L’Engle was a librarian and writer in residence at
the Episcopal Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York City.
In 2004, President George W. Bush awarded L’Engle the National Humanities Medal. She was cited for works that
“reflect the creative spirit of America.”
As I have mentioned before A Wrinkle in Time was extremely important to me in my childhood, being the first book
that I learned how to read on my own in 2nd grade. I struggled to learn how to read and was way behind in 1st grade,
but my favorite teacher of all time used this book to spark her classes creativity and curiosity and my mother
references A Wrinkle in Time to this day.
It my was investigation into L’Engle for a sermon illustration from A Wrinkle in Time last summer that let to this
project in Lent. Despite her influence in my life and reading half a dozen of her other young adult novels I was not
aware that L’Engle had written over 60 books nor that so many of them were about her Christian faith.
She was an Episcopalian her entire life and her faith, her relationship with Jesus and with God have been central to
her life and writing career. I hope you all find her ideas thought provoking and helpful in exploring this beautiful
mystery of the Christian faith as I do.
From The Senior Pastor’s Desk
We are exploring the themes and quotes from the following novels by L’Engle during Lent.
Bright Evening Star on February 14th and February 18th.
A Stone for A Pillow on February 21st and February 25th.
Penguins and Golden Calves on March 3rd and March 6th
And It Was Good on March 10th
Sold Into Egypt on March 13th and March 17th
The Moment of Tenderness on March 24th – Palm Sunday
The Rock That is Higher on March 31st – Easter Sunday
With prayers and praises,
Rev. Andrew Taylor Peck
Lenten Services
Wednesday March 6
6PM Fellowship Refreshments
7PM Chapel Service
Wednesday March 13
6PM Fellowship Refreshments
7PM Chapel Service
Wednesday March 20
6PM Unplugged Lent Service
Faithful Blend Cafe
Good Friday March 29
12PMStations of the Cross in the
Greenspace
7PMSeven Last Words Service Sanctuary
Easter March 31
8AMEarly Service Chapel
9AM Easter Brunch
10AMEaster Service Sanctuary
11AMEaster Egg Hunt Greenspace
Two quilts by Irene Rodriguez, inspired by Dunkirk Camp and Conference Center will be raffled at the Dunkirk
picnic in August. Irene has tickets for $5.00 each. Proceeds will benefit the camp. Many Trinity UCC members
have attended the camp in the past and several members (Including Rick and Irene Rodriguez and Missy and
Josh Tolbert) still attend on a regular basis. All are encouraged to consider attending Family Camp I, July 7-13,
for a relaxing, fun, multi-generational and inspirational week. For more information about the camp, contact
Irene, Missy, or online at www.dunkirkcc.com
Quilt Raffle Benefitting Dunkirk Camp
Please pray for our
family in Christ
Jerry Ball, Laura Barcalow, Shelly Beeman, Carl
Battaglia, Brian Bowersox, Carolyn Cindea,
Suzanne Cindea, Rod Deitz, Jerry Edwards, Shari
Edwards, Dean Fisher, Kristine Greenho, Allison
Hugus, Michele Hutcheson, Ron Egner, Marge
Fletcher, Cookie Jones, Gloria Kahler, Jennifer Kim,
Doug King, Marilyn King, Christopher King,
Charlene Massey, Janet Marr, Luanne May, Karen
Moss, Jarrett McCourry, Joan Porter, Kim Smith,
Betty Stumpp, Kurt Stumpp, Shirley Sweitzer, Dan
Thomas, Mary Thomas, Michael Vanbuskirk, Renee
Wallis, Joan Willms, Maureen, Andrea
Lenten Sermon Series: The
Beautiful Mystery:
A journey through the psalms
with Madeleine L'Engle
March 3, 2024
Third Sunday of Lent
Sermon: “The Beautiful Mystery 3: The Words of My Mouth”
Scripture: Psalm 19
Book: “Penguins and Golden Calves” by: Madeleine L’Engle
March 10th, 2024
Fourth Sunday of Lent – Pastor Nick Preaching
Sermon: “The Beautiful Mystery 4:
Scripture: Psalm 104
Book: “And It Was Good, Reflections on Beginnings” by:
Madeleine L’Engle
March 17, 2024
Fifth Sunday of Lent
Sermon: “The Beautiful Mystery 5: With All My Heart”
Scripture: Psalm 119:9-16
Book: “Journeys Into Being Human” by: Madeleine L’Engle
March 24, 2024
Palm Sunday
Sermon: “The Beautiful Mystery 6: Be Merciful to Me”
Scriptures: Psalm 31:9-16, Mark 11:1-11
Book: “The Moment of Tenderness” by: Madeleine L’Engle
March 31, 2024
Easter Sunday
Sermon: “The Beautiful Mystery 7: God’s Love Endures
Forever”
Scriptures: Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24, John 20:1-18
Book: “The Rock That is Higher” by: Madeleine L’Engle
january Financials
With thanks...
Offerings budgeted 27,733.33
Offerings actual 35,833.00
Receipts from rentals, programs and misc.
44,810.44
Proceeds from Endowment 8,100.00
Transfers from reserves 6,963.55
Total receipts 95,706.99
Total expense 63,848.17
FROM THE ASSOCIATE PASTOR'S DESK
In this season of Lent, we are traveling through a series of beautiful mysteries. I found Psalm 91 to be one of those
scriptures filled with mystery, secrets, and promises. I remember one such promise on a very bright spring day while
walking my dog with one of those extender leashes. For some reason Baylor was very excited to be on his walk that
morning. The morning was cool, the air crisp as we walked the canal path. No one was out yet, but the birds were
singing the songs of their people, and the trees were full of squirrels chattering and teasing the dog. It didn’t take long
for Baylor to take in all the scents and sounds around him and promptly ran ahead from side to side, pulling, barking,
trying to capture the nature that surrounded him. When that was not enough, he took to wrapping the leash around my
legs several times until he could not find any more leash to be had. He had run out of leash, now in a tangled mess. He
looked up at me a bit hopeless.
I was exasperated and yet smiled a bit at all the fun he was having. I heard God still speaking and smiling a bit too as my
heart was opened to another life lesson. I am a lot like my dog, running ahead, chattering about so many things that I
forget to listen. And then there’s the part while doing my own thing, I end up in a tangled mess, looking to Jesus as I felt
a bit hopeless.
Psalm 91 reminds us that there is a secret place in the Most High, a place where we can dwell in the shadow of the
Almighty, a place where we long to reside and rest. This secret place, tucked under the wings of the Creator, offers so
much to us in our everyday living. As in the life lesson above, God offers to us protection by keeping us safe, God calls
us to be still and know that God is Peace, and that when we get tangled by the web of living in a rush, rush world, there
is no need to feel tangled and hopeless. Jesus is with us, ready to untangle us from the messiness of our circumstances.
The “how” is incredibly easy with this one. Placing our trust in God. Does it happen quickly, easily? Is it our first go to
when we get tangled up? We were just talking about this very thing in our Women’s Bible study class. When
circumstances hits us in the face with conflict or calamity or even challenging news, we often try to fix it ourselves.
When that doesn’t work out as planned, then we turn to God. Trusting God, running (not walking), to find that shelter
takes practice. Like anything and everything in life, things get better with practice. We learn from one situation how
we should’a, could’a, would’a been in a dwelling place of peace it we had only turned to God first. It’s a learning process,
ongoing, and work. Hoping the next time we’ll remember previous life lessons and be ready to trust first, react with our
own response, slower. Hebrews 4:11 tells us it is labor to enter that rest. Meaning we have to work at it, to practice.
Sure, we know there will be distractions, disappointments, temptations, even some hopelessness along the way,
getting us tangled in the web of competing decisions. James reminds us to go to Jesus, asking, expecting, persevering. I
find that it’s when we take our eyes (and mind) off the situation and trust that God’s got this, then we are on that path
to that secret place, that place of security and rest. The mystery of Psalm 91? We need not be afraid of the night, or the
arrow of day, God has us in the secret place with an offering of love. No need to run ahead trying to see what is in front
of us. No need to let the world know how hard our situation is, no need to get tangled up in stuff. There is only one
thing we seek, one thing we ask. That we may dwell in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1-2 Mystery. “God you are my refuge. I trust in You and I’m safe.”
Take a moment and give a listen to the song link below. May you find rest and shelter in your journey.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFd7_q2WsH4
Shalom, Shalom
Pastor Nick
As people get more busy, the Church has
to employ new ways to make the faithful
keep coming back.
Our St. Baldrick’s Canton Event will be held on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the North Canton Racquet Club starting
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm. This is our 22nd annual event and our family’s last year to be the leaders. Both of us are in our
75th year (with God’s help) and our skills for leading an event of this size are dwindling! Of course, we want 2024 to be
the BIGGEST & BEST in participation and fundraising!!
St. Baldrick’s Foundation quote: “What started as a challenge 25 years ago has become the largest volunteer
movement to save kids with cancer. But our work isn’t done. Together, we can raise funds to fuel research that gives
hope to kids with cancer everywhere.” Our family truly believes in this foundation, and we have done our best to let
people know how to accomplish their goal.
Would you be willing to go BALD or ACCEPT A CHALLENGE you have wanted to complete? Either of these options,
your family and friends will sponsor you to do, and at the same time you are helping thousands of children get much
needed research.
• More children are lost to cancer in the U.S. than any other disease—in fact, more than many other childhood
diseases combined.
• Before they turn 20, about 1 in 263 children in the U.S. will have cancer.
• Worldwide, a child is diagnosed every 2 minutes.
We thank Trinity UCC members for your support the past 21 years and we hope you will again help us to maker a
difference to so many children who are suffering. Checks can be made out to St. Baldricks or go to
www:stbaldricks.org/events/cantonohio24 and click donate.
This event is in memory of our daughter, Abbey, and honoring many Stark County kids who have been diagnosed, are
in remission, and are angels with childhood cancer.
If you have questions, please ask!
Thank you,
Jeff and Nan Foltz
330.495.5092
nanfoltz67@gmail.com
St. Baldrick’s Foundation
End of Session Performance
Please Join Us!
WHEN: Wednesday, March 13th
TIME: 5:15 to 6 p.m.
WHERE: Fellowship Hall
(Please enter through door #2)
We will give a short demonstration
of the activities for the last 10 weeks!
As people get more busy, the Church has
to employ new ways to make the faithful
keep coming back.
Trinity Circle Lunch Bunch
Ladies of Trinity Circle and their guests will meet at Beasleys in North Canton on
Wednesday, March 20th at 12:30 for our monthly lunch.
Please phone Jean Sutton with reservations at 330-833-2195.
Election Day Bake Sale
Thank you in advance for you willingness to donate items for the “Bake Sale” on
Wednesday, March 13th in Fellowship Hall.
Drop off items the night before in the main kitchen marked “Trinity Bake Sale” or the morning of
by 9AM. This fundraiser is organized by Trinity Circle Lunch Bunch and all proceeds are donated
to local missions. We greatly appreciate your support!
Trinity UCC
3909 Blackburn Rd. NW
Canton, OH
44718
*Special Date in March -
Unplugged Lent Service
March 20th at 6PM
