Trinity Tribune - Oct 2016 to Jan 2017

October 2016
The Trinity Tribune
to
January 2017

3 Church Installs New Sound System
Events and Activities During October 2016
4-6
7
Automatic Electronic Defibrillator Installed
Events and Activities During November 2016
10 Food City Challenge Food Match
11 Learn About Our Confirmation Class
Events and Activities During December 2016
8-10
12-14
15 Food City Gift Card Fund Raiser Information
Events and Activities During January 2017
16-17
18 Endowment Programs Supports Ministries
19 Assisted Listening Device Available
19 A Look at Our Designated Funds
20 18 Years of Pop “N” for Jesus
20 Serving Our Neighbors District Ministry
Join Us Each Wednesday Night
for a Time of Prayer
@ 6:00 pm
You have in your possession—some of you might be
reading a printed version—many of you will be reading an
electronic version—a document that required many hours
of work from me and Ashley Turner. I brought the idea to
her near the end of August and said, “Let’s create a
magazine that will let folks know what is happening at our
church from October through January.” She was
enthusiastic. I got to work laying out the design. We came
up with a list of the activities and events and then divided
them up between us and started writing. Along the way
we added graphics. Some things were deleted. Others
were added and the result is what you have in front of
you.
As we see it, there are two purposes for this magazine.
First of all, it is a place where you can come and see what
is happening in the next four months at the church. You
may not realize it, but these upcoming four months are
some of the busiest months in the calendar year at the
church. Please take the time to look through this
magazine and note the events and activities. More
importantly, make an effort to be present at as many of
them as you can attend.
Secondly, we have printed some of these in color. We
feel that this would be a great way for you to let a FRAN
(Friend, Relative, Associate, or Neighbor) know about the
church and her ministries. Please feel free to take one of
these color copies to someone in the community and
invite them to come. Get specific. Say them, “On page XX,
there is a description of an event at the church. I’d really
like for you to go with me to this event/activity.”
If you have an online version, then share the church
web address with persons so that they can not only find
this magazine but also our church web site.
We believe that this magazine can help people learn
about us and become involved in our ministries and
activities. Such involvement might lead to a life changing
encounter with Jesus Christ. So, please share this
magazine with as many people as you possibly can.
2 The Trinity Tribune

Due to foresight over the years, we were able
to pay for the sound system upgrades in the
following manner:
Sound System Fund
Becky Sandt Endowment Fund
The Choir Fund
United Methodist Men Donation
Kelly Sunday School Class Donation (all those
Yard Sales do make a difference!)
John D. and Mary Lou Williams
Memorial Fund
No General Operational Funds were used for this upgrade!!!
It should come as no surprise that we have been having issues with our sound system during worship. As
we have added new items to the system, we have run in to obstacles that make it difficult to integrate all of
the various pieces of equipment in a way that makes for an enjoyable listening experience. Some can’t hear
due to bad sound coverage and personal hearing issues. We frequently get feedback. We are unable to
adequately capture and blend the sound of the choir with the sound tracks that we use. The problems are
numerous.
In the late fall of 2014, we had persons come in from Crutchfield and give us a bid on a new system. We did
not act on that bid. In the last few months, however, it became more apparent that action was needed. Rick
Galyean got various vendors to come in and assess the situation and make recommendations. At our August
2016 Administrative Board meeting the matter was discussed and the Board laid out the manner in which we
could pay for the system. (see upper corner for details) Once all the parties were in agreement on their
contribution, we called Branham Productions and asked them
to come and install the new system. Installation will begin on
We Think We Have
October 10th.
Solved This Problem!!
The new system consists of new amplifiers, a set of hung
speakers, a new sound board, an equalizer and a couple of
other items to help make the system work in the most
efficient manner possible. We are still in the learning phase of
operating the new system. We believe, however, that once we
get used to the possibilities of the new equipment, that you
will notice a marked improvement in the overall sound quality
of our worship service and of our recorded videos.
Thanks for being so patient with us. The wait will be worth it.
October 2016 — January 2017 3

The Kelly Sunday School
Class will host their Fall Yard
Sale October 3-7 from 9 am
to 4 pm daily. The members
of the Kelly Sunday School
Class work very hard on the
two yard sales they have
each year. You never know
what treasures you may
find! So bring yourself, bring a friend and come on by
to see what you can find. There is sure to be a little
something for everyone.
The United Methodist Men are pleased to announce their pancake
breakfast on October 8, 2016 from 7:00 am to 10:00 am. Wouldn't you
love to have a hot breakfast consisting of pancakes, to include hot syrup,
sausage and/or bacon, juice, milk and coffee, that you didn't have to slave
over a hot stove to prepare yourself? Well, look no further! Feel free to
stop by and partake in this yummy breakfast to get your day started off
just right. You may purchase tickets in advance or at the door. For tickets
to this delicious event, please contact anyone in the United Methodist
Men or stop by the church's office.
Sun Oct 2—World Communion
Sunday
Mon Oct 3—NOW Team
Meeting @ 6:30 pm
Oct 3-7: FALL YARD SALE
Sat Oct 8—UM Men Pancake
Breakfast-7:00 am-10:00 am
Wed Oct 12—Fellowship
Supper @ 6:30 pm
Mon Oct 10—UM Men monthly
dinner meeting: 6:30 pm
Sat Oct 15—MECC Home Craft
Days Bottled Water Give Away
(all day event)
You are invited to join us for a special communion service on October 2nd.
It’s World Communion Sunday a day when churches around the world
come together to recognize the importance of Holy Communion and
celebrate it in their own unique way. The pastor will also do his yearly
Question and Answer sermon on the topic of Communion.
Sun Oct 23
UM Women Sunday @
11:00 am
Church Fall Festival
3:00 pm—6:00pm
Mon Oct 31—Trunk or Treat at
the Church—5:00 pm-7:00 pm
Oct. 2nd
4
The Trinity Tribune

If you would like to take a break from cooking supper every
night of the week, then we have the solution for you! Come
join us on Wednesday, October 12 at 6:30 pm for our monthly
fellowship supper. It is not only an opportunity to try different
dishes, but it is a wonderful time to fellowship with the other
members of the church. There is never a lack of food. Just
bring along your favorite dish to share and be sure to invite a
friend or relative and come have supper with us.
Candy, Candy, Candy! What child doesn’t like
candy? Help us make this Trunk or Treat even
bigger and better than it was last year. The street
will be blocked off the better accommodate the
vehicles and make it safer for the children who are
walking. Last year we had about 10 vehicles and
more than 300 children who came by to get candy.
Let’s make this year even bigger and better!
Saturday
October 15th
Mountain Empire
Community College
Home Craft Days
Bottled Water
Give Away
This will be our fifth yearly sojourn to the Home Craft
Days. Our goal this year will be to give away 3000
bottles of water. The water has already been supplied
through a donation from the United Methodist Men
and through funds remaining from last year.
Monday October 31st
5:00-7:00 pm
Please contact the church office if you are going to
participate in this outreach.
What we need from you is participation. We will need
persons willing to be present at our booth all day until
we pass out all of the water. You will simply greet
people and offer them a bottle of water in Christ’s
name. A sign up sheet will be available next week.
Over the last few years, we have been trying to get leaders to
commit to a three year term of leadership. This prevents burn out
and allows persons to know that they are not tied down in a
leadership role forever. This year, marks the final year for three of
our leaders: Phil Robbins (Administrative Board Chair), Spencer
Quesenberry (Finance Chair) and Martha Spurlock (Lay Leader). These
three individuals have provided leadership for our church during a
time of transition and a challenging financial environment. On behalf
of the congregation, I extend to them a hearty THANKS for the
leadership they have provided.
October 2016 — January 2017 5

October 23
3:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Loads of fun to be had by everyone! Spread
the word! Anyone and everyone is not only
welcome, but encouraged to attend!
Cotton Candy
Bounce house
Popcorn
Nurture Outreach Worship TEAM
Will meet Monday October 3 at 6:30 pm in
the Wicker Room. Details of many of the
upcoming events will be discussed in
preparation of the busiest time of the year
for our church. If you would like to help
with the ministries within our church that
reach out into the community or if you
have ideas for new ways we can reach out,
then please mark your calendar and plan to
attend this meeting. Everyone is
encouraged to come and take part in these
various ministries. We look forward to
seeing everyone!
United Methodist Women’s Sunday
You are invited to join us for a special worship
service on Sunday Oct 23rd. Our United Methodist
Women’s Circles will be planning and leading the
worship service on this day. They have arranged
for Lynice Broyles, The Holston Conference UMW
President, to come and deliver the message for
this event.
United Methodist Men’s Meeting
Though most likely tired and still smelling like
pancakes and bacon, the men of the church will
gather for their monthly meal and meeting on
Monday Oct 10th at 6:30 pm All men of the
church and community are invited to attend.
6
The Trinity Tribune

Church Installs
Automatic Electronic Defibrillator
We now have a piece of equipment that all
of us hope will never have to be used.
Mounted in the Fellowship Hall in a large box
on the wall is a Zoll AED Plus. This device
could potentially save a life in the event that
someone has a heart attack while at the
church. None of us want to see this device
tested, but knowing that it is there should
provide a modicum of comfort.
Pastor Terry felt strongly about the need for
an AED at the church. He shared the idea with
some folks and we began the process of
acquiring one for the church. Our first step
was to wade through the choices. We turned
to Dr. Dana Barlow and asked him to evaluate
the various options that were available to us.
He chose the Zoll unit. The great
thing about this particular unit is the
step by step instructions that it gives.
Once you activate the unit, it walks
you, step by step, through the
process needed to help save a life.
This particular unit even has a fail
safe. Studies show that some people
were afraid to actually push the
button to administer a possible life
saving shock. This unit, once it
determines that such action is
needed will ask people to stay clear
of the person suffering a heart
attack, and automatically administer the
necessary shock.
Once the unit was selected, the Trustees
met to authorize the purchase and the
Memorial Committee then provided the
necessary funds to purchase this unit. Then all
we had to do was mount the unit to make it
accessible and get some people to watch a
short video on how to use the unit. There are
several people within the church that know
how to use this device. We are always eager,
though, to get more people trained. So, if you
would like to spend a few minutes learning
how to use this device, it could be the best
time you have spent lately. You might just
save a life based on what you learn.
October 2016 — January 2017
7

November 2 at 6:30 pm will be our monthly fellowship
supper. This is a wonderful opportunity to escape from
the cold outside and gather together to enjoy a meal.
Anyone and everyone are welcome to join us. Just whip
up a helping of your favorite dish and invite someone to
come with you. There is always sure to be great food and
even better fellowship. We also use these suppers as a
way to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. So, mark
your calendar and don’t forget to come join us.
Wed Nov 2—Fellowship
Supper @ 6:30 pm
Be on the Lookout for
Hungry Bears—Union
High Bears —That Is
The church will continue its
Annual tradition of feeding
the football team,
cheerleaders, and coaches
on a Thursday prior to a Thursday Nov 3rd
Friday night game.
600 pm– 700 pm
We will be grilling hamburgers and hot dogs. We
haven’t yet decided on the side dishes, but we’ll let you
know as the date approaches. We will need your help
because this is a hungry bunch of bears.
Volunteers will be needed both for pre meal set up,
serving the meal, and post meal clean up. A sign up
sheet will be passed around as the date approaches. So
mark your calendar and help us feed the team.
Thu Nov 3—Church Feeds
UHS Football Team and
Cheerleaders @ 6:00 pm
Sun Nov 6—All Saint’s
Sunday and Confirmation
Sunday
Mon Nov 7—NOW Team
Meeting @ 6:30 pm
Mon Nov 14—UM Men’s
monthly Dinner Meeting @
6:30 pm
Sat Nov 19—Sat Nov 26—
Pastor and Family on
Vacation
Thu Nov 24 & Fri Nov 25—
Church Office Closed for
Holiday
Sunday Nov 27—First Sunday
of Advent
3:00 pm—Hanging of the
Greens
8
The Trinity Tribune

You really want to plan on worshiping with us on All
Saint’s Sunday—November 6th. Next to Easter, this was one
of the days of great celebration in the early church. On this
day we will: offer the sacrament of Holy Communion,
recognize the confirmands that will have completed
confirmation class, bring new people into the church,
remember those saints of God, the men and women that
have passed on to the church triumphant and celebrate
with joyful music.
This is one of he high holy days of the Christian liturgical
calendar and you will not want to miss the opportunity to
worship God in a very special way. So, please, plan on
joining us for worship on this day. You will not be sorry that
you did.
On Vacation
Sat Nov 19th
through
Sat Nov 26th
Men’s Meal
Monday Nov 14th
6:30 pm
Come Join Us!
Everyone is
Welcome
“You’re supposed to be on vacation, Terry.”
Nurture
Outreach
Worship
The NOW Team meets the
first Monday night of each
month to discuss and
make plans about how our
church’s ministries can
reach out into the
community. All are
welcome, and
encouraged, to attend
these meetings.
That is the goal of the Goodman family during the
week of Thanksgiving—taking a vacation. It has
been January of 2015 since the family got to go on
vacation together. Even this year, everyone may
not get to go, but we are going to give it a shot and
see about relaxing on the beach for a week. It’s
going to be strange not being at grandma’s house
for Thanksgiving, but we’ll hopefully find some
place that offers turkey on that day.
October 2016 — January 2017 9

Food City Teams with the Church to
Help Fight Childhood Hunger
During October, and we hope at other times during
the year, Food City is putting up a special display to
help collect food for Powell Valley Primary School
and Appalachian Elementary School. A sign will read
that an anonymous donor (that would be us—
Trinity UMC) will match, up to $1000, any food that
is placed into the collection display. We have also
been given a preferred price on the food that we
will be buying from Food City as our part of the
match. This is a win/win/win situation. Hungry
children get food. Food City gets to be a positive
corporate influence in our community. We get to
live out the scriptural mandate of feeding the
hungry. When you see the display, go ahead and
put some food in it. Your gift will be doubled and
children will be fed.
Sunday
November 27th
3:00 pm
We need to get the
sanctuary and the church
ready for the Advent and
Christmas seasons. We
will be doing this on the
Sunday after
Thanksgiving beginning at 3:00 pm. Go grab some
lunch and come back and join us as we put up the
Christmas tree, hang the garland, put the wreathes
on the doors and do all the other things to decorate
our church for the upcoming holiday seasons.
The church office will be closed on
Thursday, November 24 and Friday,
November 25 in Observance of
Thanksgiving.
Advent is the
season of four
Sundays prior
to Christmas
during which
we begin to
prepare
ourselves for
the celebration
of Christ’s birth.
It is a time for
us to pause and
reflect, even as
the world around us kicks into the high gear of Christmas. It
is a time for us to listen more closely to the music. It’s a time
for us to get together with family and friends that we may
not have seen for a while. It is a time to focus on the coming
of God into the world and how that coming has impacted our
life.
I invite you to participate in worship during this Advent
season. We have some very special services planned for you.
So, slow down and join us as we get ready to honor the
Christ child.
10
The Trinity Tribune

I am very happy to be working with: Andrew Holyfield, Jamie
Turner, Daniel Goodman and Addison Toney as they meet with
me for Confirmation classes. For those that might be
wondering, Confirmation is a time for the pastor to meet with
youth ages 10-14 (grades 5-8) and talk with them about the
Christian faith and share with them some of the history of our
United Methodist heritage.
When the Confirmation class is completed, we will have had
eight, hour and a half sessions, an overnight retreat and a
Saturday prayer retreat. Those that have participated in the
class then have the opportunity to make a public profession of
faith and become a professing member of the church. (Some of
them have already done this previously.)
The culmination of our time together will be on All Saint’s
Sunday (Nov. 6th) As a part of the service, we will use the Baptismal Covenant in our hymnal as a way to help
them publicly profess the things they have learned. For those that wish to do so, we will bring them into the
church at this time.
This is a very special time for these youth. I encourage you to lift them up in your prayers. Following the service
that day, there will be a reception for them in the fellowship hall. You are invited to remain for this time of
fellowship and recognition.
Confirmands Invite You to Join
Them on a Prayer Retreat
Each Confirmand has been
assigned an adult mentor. The
mentors talk with the Confirmands
and walk beside them as spiritual
guides during the confirmation
process.
On behalf of the Confirmands
special thanks go out to:
Bill Cole
Mary Beth Allen
Martha Spurlock
Kenny Spurlock
A very special thanks also goes
out to David Barker who provided
us a place in his home for our
overnight retreat.
Saturday
November 5th
8:30 am– 1:00 pm
As the final act of their
classes, the confirmands
will have a prayer
retreat. You are invited
to join them. We will
begin with a breakfast at
8:30 am. During our time
together we will talk
about and practice
various forms of prayer.
Please plan on joining us
for this activity.
October 2016 — January 2017 11

Some Thoughts About the Symbols
of Advent…
Advent, is the first season of the new liturgical year.
During that season, we are hearing the stories from
Scripture that remind us of the prophesied coming of the
Messiah into our world. To help celebrate the coming of
Mesissah, the church developed a pattern of worship during
the weeks prior to Christmas. These weeks were a time to
prepare ourselves for the coming of the Christ child.
One of the main themes of Advent is that of coming out of
darkness and into the light. Isaiah 9:2 says it this way:
“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great
light” As a result, candles play an important role in the
season.
There are five candles associated with Advent. One for
each of the four Sundays preceding Christmas and one for
Christmas. These candles are typically arranged in a circular
pattern in what is called an Advent wreath.
The United Methodist Church says the following at
UMC.org:
“The Advent wreath, four candles on a wreath of evergreen, is
shaped in a perfect circle to symbolize the eternity of God. In
some churches, four purple candles, one for each week in
Advent, are used with one larger white candle in the middle as
the Christ candle. Other churches prefer three purple or blue
candles with one candle being rose or pink, to represent joy.
While the Advent wreath with its four candles did bring light
to churches, it was not to illuminate the interior as much as to
symbolize the coming of Christ. The Advent wreath began in
the time of the Protestant reformer Martin Luther.
During each Sunday of the Advent season, we focus on one
of the four virtues Jesus brings us: Hope, Love, Joy and
Peace. Others consider the lighting of the first candle to
symbolize expectation, while the second symbolizes hope, the
third joy and the fourth purity. The Christ candle is lit on
Christmas Eve or Christmas Day reminding Christians that Jesus
is the light of the world. The order and exact wording vary
among churches, but the wreath continually reminds us of
whom we are called to be as followers of Jesus.”
Sun Dec 4—Second Sunday of
Advent
Sun Dec 4—The Great Cookie
Caper
Mon Dec 5—NOW Team
meets @ 6:30 pm
Wed Dec 7—Fellowship
Supper @ 6:30 pm
Sat Dec 10—Christmas
Cantata @ 7 pm
Sun Dec 11—Third Sunday of
Advent
Mon Dec 12—UM Men
Meeting @ 6:30 pm
Sun Dec 18—Fourth Sunday
of Advent
Sat Dec 24—Christmas Eve
Communion Service @ 7 pm
Sun Dec 25—Christmas Day
So, join us this Advent season and experience this light for
your own life.
12
The Trinity Tribune

Nurture Outreach Worship TEAM
The final meeting of the NOW Team for
the 2016 year will be December 5 at 6:30
pm. This will be a wonderful opportunity to
look at this past year to see what we were
able to accomplish and to set goals and
discuss new ideas for the upcoming 2017
year. Anyone and everyone is invited to
attend this meeting. If you would like to
help with the ministries of the church that
reach out into the community, please mark
your calendar to attend this meeting.
Joy! A Suite for Christmas
Saturday December 10 at 7:00 pm
Our December Fellowship Dinner will be on
Wednesday, the 7th at 6:30 pm. Please bring a
covered dish and invite someone to come along
with you as we prepare to close out another year
the Lord has given us.
And
Sunday December 11 at 11:00 am
Monday December 12th @ 6:30 pm
All men in the church and community are invited.
The Great Cookie Caper is happening Sunday December 4!
Members of the congregation are asked to bake lots of cookies
to be taken out into the community to show our appreciation
of all the civil servants, educators, healthcare providers, etc. If
you want to help with this ministry, please contact Patty
Robbins or the church office.
October 2016 — January 2017
13

Christmas Eve
Candlelight and Communion Service
Saturday December 24th @ 7:00 pm
Everyone is invited to join us for this special
Christmas Eve celebration. It’s been a
tradition for many years and we look
forward to seeing you at this worship event.
There will be music as well as the lighting of
candles as we sing Silent Night and Holy
Communion will be served.
Worship With Us on
Christmas Day!
This year, Christmas Day happens to fall on Sunday. We
have a simple worship experience planned. We will be
gathering and mainly singing Christmas hymns and Carols
as we have done the previous couple of years. It’s a chance
to sing some of the many pieces of Christmas music that we
just can’t get worked in during the season. The
congregation will be choosing the music, so come on and
join in singing some of our favorite selections.
14
The Trinity Tribune

Food City Community Cash Card Program
Food City has a great way to help organizations raise money and supporters get items they
would have purchased anyway…groceries! Food City’s Community Cash Card Program is
simple. A supporter (that’s you) purchases Community Cash cards in denominations of $10,
$25, $50, or $100 (as many as they’d like to buy). The supporter pays the full price and
receives a card for the full price or face value. The organization, Trinity UMC in this case,
collects the money paid by the supporter, sends 95% to Food City to pay for the card and
keeps the remaining 5% for itself. Here’s an illustration of how it works:
Trinity UMC sells:
Supporters receives:
Trinity UMC pays Food City:
$1,000 worth of cards (what the supporters pay)
$1,000 in cards (face value)
$950 for the cards
Trinity UMC keeps: $50
The supporter can use these cards at any Food City location, just like cash. These cards make
wonderful gifts as well and are valid for one year.
Organizations must sell $500 or more in cards before an order can be placed. Pre orders will
be taken with payment due at the time of ordering, thus eliminating any financial risk to
Trinity UMC. This can be an ongoing fundraiser to assist the church with various financial
needs. At this particular time, it will benefit the Trinity UMC Youth Activities Fund.
Please contact Christy Smith if you have questions or are interested in purchasing a card(s) at
703-629-6040 (phone/text) or cmsmithfor17@yahoo.com. You may also contact the church
office (276-523-0789) during regular business hours to purchase cards. Please help us spread
the word about selling these cards so that we can have a successful fundraiser.
We all need groceries all through the year. This is just a different way to spend the money
you were going to spend anyway and help Trinity UMC raise funds at the same time.
October 2016 — January 2017
15

Join Us for Special Worship
Opportunities in January
We begin the new year with a couple of very
special worship services.
The first
service will be
on January 8th
when we
celebrate
Epiphany.
Epiphany is
technically on
January 6th
and represents
the
culmination of
the 12 days of the Christmas season. We
remember the coming of the Magi to the Christ
Child and his epiphany (manifestation) to the
world. This will be a day on which the sacrament
of Holy Communion will be offered during our
worship service.
The next
Sunday, we will
celebrate The
Baptism of Our
Lord Sunday.
This day
reminds us of
the beginning of
Jesus’ ministry
at his baptism in
the Jordan river by John the Baptist. We will
engage in the Congregational Renewal of our
Baptismal Vows as a part of worship on that day.
This will also be the Sunday when the pastor
offers his annual Question and Answer sermon
on the topic of Baptism.
Sun Jan 1—New Year’s Day
Mon Jan 2—NOW Team
Meets @ 6:30 pm
Wed Jan 4—Fellowship
Supper @ 6:30 pm
Sun Jan 8—Epiphany Sunday
Mon Jan 9—UM Men Meets
@ 6:30 pm
Sun Jan 15—Baptism of our
Lord Sunday
Fri Jan 20—Sun Jan 22—
UMYF Resurrection Trip in
Gatlinburg, TN
Sun Jan 22—Sat Jan 28—
Pastor on Winter Retreat in
Pigeon Forge
16
The Trinity Tribune

Start the new year off right! Become an active
participant within our church! Make a New Year’s
resolution to become involved with the Nurture
Outreach and Worship Team of the church. The first
meeting of the 2017 year will be held January 2 at
6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall. We look forward to
seeing new faces with lots of fresh ideas to help our
church reach out into our community.
Nurture Outreach Worship Team
You Are Invited to the
United Methodist Men’s
Meal & Meeting
Monday
January 9, 2017
6:30 p.m.
Come and start the new year off right at our January
Fellowship Dinner on Wednesday the 4th at 6:30 pm.
It may be cold outside, but there will be plenty of warm
food available. Just remember to bring along a covered
dish and invites a friend, relative or neighbor, and
come enjoy the wonderful food and great fellowship.
The UMYF will be traveling to Pigeon Forge, TN January 20-
22 for Resurrection 2017. This is a wonderful opportunity
for the youth to gather with other young people and
worship God. The speaker this year will be Mike Veach and
the worship band will be Rend Collective. Many thanks go
out to everyone who has supported our youth throughout
the past year and helped them raise the money to be able
to attend this wonderful event at no cost to them or their
families.
The pastor will continue the tradition of his yearly retreat in
Pigeon Forge following Resurrection 2017. He will attend
Resurrection with the youth, and then remain in the area on
retreat through Saturday January 28th. Please be in prayer
for him while he is away. He will be entering into a time of
prayer seeking God’s direction for his life and for the church.
Your prayers undergirding him during this time would be
most appreciated.
October 2016 — January 2017 17

Permanent Endowment Program
Supports Church Ministries
Trinity United Methodist Church is blessed by the foresight of its leaders. Many
years ago, the church began to create and solicit the creation of Permanent
Endowments and Invested Funds. For those not familiar with these terms, let me
briefly explain these terms. A Permanent Endowment is a sum of money that has
been set aside to generate income. Each year a portion of that income-generally 3
-4% of a rolling three year average, is made available to our church for support of
her ongoing ministries. Invested Funds are those funds that we have set aside to
be invested so that we can generate income. We can use either the amount
raised in interest income or, if the situation requires it, we could use the entire
amount of the funds that are invested. By contrast, the main portion of a permanent endowment, cannot be utilized.
We only get access to the yearly pay out amount. We have a mixture of both of these kinds of funds.
Just so you know, these are the current funds being held at the Holston Conference Foundation on behalf of our
local church.
First off, we have the Anna B Morris Permanent Endowment Fund for the parsonage. Years ago, Mrs. Morris had a
home that was given to the church. We sold the home and the money was set aside in a permanent endowment. As a
result, we receive between $1200-$1500 per year that can only be used to maintain and upgrade our parsonage and
its contents.
We also have a Kelly Toney Permanent Endowment Fund. This fund was established in memory of Joe and Nancy
Toney’s daughter, Kelly. Each year between $250-$500 is generated for use in our ministries with children and youth.
Becky Sandt was an avid member of the choir and, upon her death, the Becky Sandt Permanent Endowment fund
was created. Last year, was the first year we were able to receive monies from that fund. Each year, we will be able to
receive about $500 for use in some of the music ministries of our church.
In addition to these permanent endowments, we also have a couple of investment funds. One of the funds is the
Trinity UMC fund. The money from this fund is available for us to use as the Administrative Board deems appropriate.
We can either utilize a payout each year, or, if necessary, could use the entire fund for some project or need.
The final investment fund that we have with the Foundation is the Memorial Fund. Monies in this fund have been
given in memory of persons over the years. We also maintain memorial funds at the local church. These funds are
typically used for projects that benefit the entire church. In the last few years, we have used some of these funds for:
purchase of new copier, purchase of new HVAC unit, purchase of Automatic Electronic Defibrilator, purchase of
Assisted Hearing Devices for the congregation, and upgrade of our Sound System.
Your Permanent Endowment Team, led by Ben Allen, would be more than eager to sit down with you and discuss
ways that you could establish an endowment. We also have access to persons at the Holston Conference Foundation
that would come to your home to discuss how your gift would be able to help us continue ministry for years to come.
18
The Trinity Tribune

Assisted Listening Devices Available Mid –October
The church is about to bring online a set of assisted listening devices as a
part of our Sunday morning worship. As you can see from the picture to the
left, the device is a small phone sized object with a set of earphones
attached. You will be able to sit anywhere in the congregation and simply
insert the earphones and adjust the volume so that you will be able to more
easily hear the worship service. Currently we have four of these devices and
they will be available each Sunday. If you desire to use one, then you will be
given a set of earphones that we will place into a bag each week that only
you will use. For more information, contact the church office and keep an eye
on the bulletin. We will let you know when this service will be available.
By now, we hope everyone knows that over the years, our
church has received monies that were designated for specific
purposes. When we accept such a donation, we are bound to
use those gifts for the purpose they were given. That has
resulted in quite a few designated funds.
Below, you will see our current list of designated funds and
their balances.
Memorial Fund .................................................. $5009.78
Back Pack Project Fund ......................................... $71.60
NOW Team Fund ............................................... $1649.56
COPE Team Fund ................................................. $982.05
Bereavement Meal Fund ..................................... $814.96
Becky Sandt Music Fund ...................................... $863.58
Choir Fund ......................................................... $2155.44
Flower Fund ......................................................... $943.26
Building Use Income Fund ................................. $2960.00
Forward Trinity Equipment ................................. $183.87
Forward Trinity Maintenance .............................. $426.22
VBS Fund ............................................................. $554.25
Sound System ........................................................ $68.20
Anna B. Morris Parsonage Fund ........................ $2685.69
Library Fund ........................................................... $31.89
Clothes and Local Missions Fund......................... $864.35
Food Fund .......................................................... $2515.46
UMYF Resurrection Fund..................................... $862.65
UMYF Hand Bell Fund ............................................ $77.06
UMYF Activity Fund ........................................... $1946.70
Please bear in mind, that these funds cannot be used for any of
our day to day operational expenses such as salaries, utilities,
insurance, office expenses, etc. They must be used only for the
purpose for which they were donated.
A Look at Our
Designated Funds
As a reminder, in December of 2015, our Administrative
Board asked that persons seek to limit their donations to
designated funds. Instead, the Board asked that we try to
support the general operational budget while we utilized
these accumulated funds to underwrite the various
ministries of our church. To date, we have been doing very
well using these designated funds to undergird ministry
opportunities. A good example is Vacation Bible School.
None of the cost of the VBS came from our Sunday
operational gifts. All of it came through special fund raising
efforts. The same can be said for the NOW Team Fund and
the Clothing and Local Mission Fund. Over the last few
months, we have used several hundred dollars of these funds
to do things such as: buy clothing, pillows, sheets, food, gas,
and utility payments-to name just a few things.
So, on behalf of all those that have been helped, I offer a
hearty thanks to all of you that, through the years, have
supplied these designated funds. We are using them as you
wanted them to be used and people are being blessed.
October 2016 — January 2017 19

Pop “N” for Jesus
For 18 years the
students and faculty
at MECC have been
given free bags of
popcorn and a Little
Debbie oatmeal
cake—generally on
the last Wednesday
of each month that
school is in session.
The person that
spearheads this outreach is Betty Fleenor. She has
corralled an eager bunch of helpers that don their light
blue T-shirts emblazoned with the logo: Pop”N” for
Jesus. Please keep this outreach in your prayers as we
spread the love of Jesus one bag of popcorn at a time.
Serving God by
Serving Our Neighbors
The SON Team of the Big Stone Gap District is in
the process of purchasing a box trailer that can
be used to carry out various ministries within our
community. The trailer will allow the churches
within our district to carry out various ministries
where an enclosure would be beneficial. It will
also allow us to reach beyond our community in
times of disaster or crisis. The SON Team
encourages everyone to share your ideas with
other ways the trailer may be of use.
Publication Information:
This is an occasional publication
of the Trinity United Methodist
Church of Big Stone Gap, Virginia.
Pastor Terry Goodman is the
chief editor of this newsletter
with editorial assistance provided
by Ashley Turner.
Trinity United Methodist Church
203 E 1st St, S
Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
Any questions regarding items
found within this newsletter
should be directed to one of
these individuals.
You may contact them by
calling the church at (276) 523-
0789. You may also send them an
email at:
trinityumc.bsg@gmail.com
Visit us online at:
http://www.trinityumc-bsg.net