The Tower
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Vol. 15, No. 2
Trinity United Methodist Church, Iron Mountain, Michigan
Pastor’s Ponderings....
Yesterday a friend of mine posted a picture on
Facebook of his dashboard thermometer that said
-31F. Thirty one degrees below zero...and he was
heading South! Yes, it’s still winter. And hard to
believe that ‘far beneath the bitter snow....lies the
seed that with the sun’s love....in the spring
...becomes the rose.’ (Lyrics from one of my favorite
songs, The Rose, written by Amanda McBroom.)
Hard to believe but not impossible. When I
look at the way the Holy Spirit is working at
Trinity UMC, I am reminded that ‘to everything
there is a season.’ This is the season of dark and
cold, but that doesn’t mean that God is absent or
even sleeping. The seeds of our future have
already been planted and are just waiting for the
right time and the right place to emerge.
We will get to see a new season in the life of
some of our young people on Palm Sunday when
the Church celebrates the confirmation ceremony
with them. They are taking classes and learning
how to stand firm in their baptisms. They are
getting ready to affirm their place in the world as
followers of Jesus. What a joy to see the
blossoming of faith in those whom you have
watched grow up.
The seeds for the North Dakota mission trip
have already broken the surface with a successful
fund raiser and a dynamic team of planners who
meet in the conference room to support each other
as they work out all of the details necessary for the
biggest mission trip to date! Those seeds have
been planted and nourished over the years by our
sister in Christ, Marilyn Phillips, whose inspiration
and guidance is visible here and now, even though
she has been and continues to be far away from us.
The Church Council in January and February
had great discussions about how Trinity can be
faithful to God’s desires for us as a Church. Last
week the decision was made to use a program
called The Five Practices of Fruitful
Congregations over the next six months to develop
goals and action plans in all the areas of the
www.imtrinity.org
March 2015
Church. This method was designed by the
Missouri Conference of The United Methodist
Church and has been used successfully by a
number of Methodist churches right here in the UP
of Michigan. The materials are being ordered, and
after Easter, those seeds will be planted in such a
way that everyone who wants to be involved, will
have a chance to water the soil and pull some
weeds and dig in some fertilizer to help with
shaping the future of Trinity UMC.
As we enter into the Season of Lent, it is quite
possible that there will be more and even deeper
cold spells. Snow will come to darken the sky.
Even as the days get longer, our patience and hope
may wear thin...cabin fever is a reality, isn’t it?
But do not despair. God’s desire to make all things
new is strong enough to crack open seeds, even
under the pressure of darkness and frozen ground.
Know that we are moving from winter to spring.
From planting to cultivating. From death to life in
Jesus Christ. Yes, Good Friday comes first, but
we are Easter people…and as our devotional book
says...God will lead us from ‘Ashes to Alleluias!’
In the name of Jesus....
Pastor Geri
Our Vision Statement
Trinity United Methodist Church actively
invites people to
explore the life-changing message of Jesus,
connect with others,
mature as disciples,
and be sent to transform our community.
…actively invite…
Applications for the 2015 Marie Bleecker
Scholarships for graduating high school seniors
are in the rack across from the church office.
Scholarships are for $250. Completed applications
are due in the church office by Sunday, May 10.
You’ve seen the graphic on the screen, “Happiness
is singing in the choir,” but some of our sections
need some help. We’re especially looking for
sopranos & basses, but anyone who loves to sing
would be welcome. Practice is Wednesdays at
6:30 p.m. Come & join us! You can call Greg,
563-5278, or Emily, 282-2776, with questions.
UMW Meeting Canceled—United Methodist
Women’s March 5 general meeting has been
canceled.
Date to be determined: Another Cinnamon Roll
Sale to benefit the North Dakota mission team.
April 19:
Pie Sale to benefit the North Dakota
mission team, after worship services.
Pizza & Presentation Event:
Decades’ Delight at 5:00 p.m.
May 9:
Car Care Clinic. Location to be
announced.
May 17:
Last day of Sunday school.
May 24:
Graduates’ Sunday.
May 31:
First Sunday of the summer
schedule —one service only at 9:15
a.m.
June 13:
Feeding America semi-truck here.
August 9: Worship at 5:00 p.m. at Cowboy
Lake with a picnic & barbecue to
follow.
College Student Outreach Opportunity—We
would like to thank everyone who has helped
support the college student outreach program in
any way. It has been a great success. We have
heard from many of the kids, and I know that my
own children have been overwhelmed. Many of
the students have let their parents know that getting
not only a package from time to time, but cards on
birthdays has made such an impact. I can only
imagine how surprised they are to go to their
mailboxes and have many cards from their church
family.
Here are the addresses of our college students:
Jacob Allen, 155 Halverson, Marquette, MI 49855
Megan DeLano, 1317 W. Kilbourn Ave., Apt. S,
Milwaukee, WI 53233
Cole Grenier, 227 Mesnard, Marquette, MI 49855
Marcus Harry, 124 Woodward, Big Rapids, MI
49307
Bethany Hunt, 124 S. Kendall Ave., Apt. B,
Kalamazoo, MI 49006
Brigid Kennedy, Michigan State University, North
Case Room 651, 842 Chestnut Rd., East Lansing,
MI 48825
Audrey Laurila, 3 Kensington Circle A, Mount
Pleasant, MI 48858
Neal Riutta, 2140 W. Michigan Ave., Milwaukee,
WI 53226
Sarah Riutta, 9321 W. Wisconsin Ave., Apt. 2,
Milwaukee, WI 53226
Dustin Schaut, 407 Dodge St., Houghton, MI
49931
Kassidy Schaut, 828 Green St., Apt. 202, Ann
Arbor, MI 48105.
Katie Smeberg, 307 Agate St., Houghton, MI
49931
Thank you all. We could not do it without you.
—Jen Gauthier
Serving in Worship in March
March 1
March 8
March 15
March 22
March 29
Liturgists:
March 1
Offering Counters:
Tami Slagle & Joyce Trevillian
Tami Slagle & Joyce Trevillian
Marsha Bonicatto & Sue Paternoster
Helen McFarland
Suzanne Harry & Sue Paternoster
Junior Worship Leader:
Jade Driscoll
Jade Driscoll
Jade Driscoll
volunteer needed
Jade Driscoll
8:00 a.m.
10:30 a.m. opportunity to serve
Projection System Operators:
Jon Harry
Logan Ryan
March 8
8:00 a.m. Barbara Sandberg
10:30 a.m. Carolyn Clay-Pineda
Adrianne Laurila
Cameron Mulka
March 15
8:00 a.m. Joyce Erickson
10:30 a.m. opportunity to serve
March 22
8:00 a.m. opportunity to serve
10:30 a.m. opportunity to serve
March 29
8:00 a.m. opportunity to serve
10:30 a.m. opportunity to serve
Ushers:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
....exploring the lifelife-changing
message of Jesus.....
Preacher’s Corner
Lent has started, and we are on our way to the
foot of that old, rugged Cross. This is a special
time in the Church year as we pause to reflect on
our relationship with Jesus. Not only do we follow
him, but we are also called to be friends with him.
Like so many of our friendships, the more time we
spend with Jesus, the closer our relationship
becomes. During Lent, the closeness, the trust, the
love between Jesus and each of us gives us the
luxury of self-examination and even confession for
the ways in which we have fallen short. Jesus is
there to hear us as we think and put into words and
pray to him for forgiveness and the strength to live
more faithfully.
The preaching during Lent will focus on the
theme of ‘Watch and Pray.’ Our guiding
scripture is: “Keep awake and pray that you may
not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is
willing, but the flesh is weak.”—Mark 14:38. Do
come to worship and be blessed by the Words of
God for the People of God. Thanks be to God.
Teach Us To Pray, Sunday, March 1: Guest
Preacher Scott Ritsema. NO COMMUNION.
“One day Jesus was praying in a certain place.
When he finished, one of his disciples said to him,
‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his
disciples.’…”—Luke 11:1-4
It Is Right to Give Our Thanks and Praise,
March 8: YES, COMMUNION. “The Lord
Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread,
and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said,
‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in
remembrance of me.’”—I Corinthians 11:17-34
Give Us This Day…, March 15: “So I say to you:
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will
find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks
finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be
opened.”—Luke 11:9-10
How Long, O Lord? March 22: “I cry aloud to
God that God, aloud to God, that God may hear
me!”—Psalm 77:1
(Continued on page 4)
....exploring the lifelife-changing
message of Jesus..... (continued)
Preacher’s Corner
(Continued from page 3)
The Prayer of Action, March 29, Palm Sunday,
Confirmation Sunday: “When he came near the
place where the road goes down the Mount of
Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully
to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles
they had seen…”—Mark 14:12–16
Lenten Opportunities for Faith Development
During this Lenten Season, there are many
opportunities for us at Trinity United Methodist
Church to grow in our faith and to continue to
mature as disciples of Jesus Christ. A Lenten
Devotional, From Death to Life, by Dr. Rich
Bimler, is available to all the families of the
church. It was handed out starting at the Ash
Wednesday worship service and will continue to be
available to families on Sunday mornings. The
brief readings include a verse of Scripture, a onesentence prayer, a Good Friday murmur, and an
Easter moment. It will be good for all of us to be
reading the same devotional each day and
hopefully, making time to talk with each other
about how God is speaking to us in this spiritual
practice.
For some people, Lent is the time to give up,
discontinue with something that represents a
sacrifice on their part. That practice is intended to
give us even a small taste of the great sacrifice that
Jesus made in giving up his life on earth on our
behalf. Other people use Lent as a time to take on
a new activity or spiritual practice that is intended
to bring them closer to God. Either way...in the
giving up or the taking on—we need to ask God to
help us, and prayer is a way that we can access
God’s love and power and strength for this Lenten
journey. The preaching during Lent will center on
prayer, to help us get closer to God through Jesus.
In addition, there are special worship events
that heighten our experience of God in and through
the music, prayers, and gathering of God’s people.
Please try to make time for as many of these
special gatherings as possible...you will be blessed
in the praise and worship of our Savior as we
prepare for remembering his death and celebrating
his resurrection.
Lenten Special Worship Opportunities:
Sunday, March 29, 10:30 a.m. Palm Sunday
worship with Confirmation ceremony for the
youth.
Tuesday, March 31, 7:00 p.m. Holy Tuesday
community worship at St. Mary & Joseph Catholic
Church , followed by a time of fellowship.
Thursday, April 2, 6:30 p.m. Maundy Thursday
worship with Communion, and combined with
other United Methodist congregations.
Friday, April 3, Noon, Community Good Friday
worship at First Presbyterian Church, 395
Hamilton Ave., Kingsford.
Easter Sunday, April 5
8:00 a.m. Easter worship with the choir
No Sunday school
9:00–10:15 a.m. Potluck breakfast smorgasbord
10:30 a.m. Easter worship
Confirmation Class Fun Facts
The confirmation class this year includes 11
young people from 10 different families and
three different middle schools—Vulcan (1), Iron
Mountain (2), Kingsford (8)
Kane and Mary are cousins from one extended
family—you know who you are!
Daunte and Reece are brothers to each other and
cousins to Ella—three from one extended
family!
At least three of these young people are signed
up to go on the North Dakota mission trip—
Lizzy, Casey, and Maggie
The group includes three trumpet players, a
clarinetist, an alto sax player, and a baritone, a
pianist, and a bell player.
Sports interests are off the charts: Soccer,
bowling, tennis, skiing, cheerleading, volleyball,
softball, dance, track, football, baseball,
basketball, hockey.
Favorite TV shows include: Sports Center (no
surprise!), SpongeBob, Animal Planet, How to
Get Away with Murder, One Tree Hill, Dance
Moms, Sherlock on BBC, Dr. Who.
Favorite movies include: Marley & Me,
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, The
Avengers. The Edge. Into the Woods, Pitch
Perfect, Legends of the Fall, Lord of the Rings
Trilogy, Harry Potter, American Sniper.
…connect with others…
March Birthdays and Anniversaries
Please pray for them on their special day.
Mar. 1 Morgan Hilyard, Joseph Rietveld
Abby Ruble
2 Marsha Olson
6 Robert Hostettler, Halle Maki
Helen McFarland
7 Joyce Yuhasey, Keith & Genean Granger
8 Michael Uren
9 Marchella Mariucci, Elizabeth Ryan
Michael & Julie Phillips
10 Allie Person
12 Trina Allen, Trinity Blagec, Krista Harry
13 Brent Hostettler, Jonathan Ryan
15 Kevin Waldbillig, Bill & Wilma Verrette
16 Randy Champagne
17 Christopher Harris, Charles Kuder
18 Jennifer Ahola, Maria Hyrkas
Cindie Trevillian
21 Dean & Robin Rose
22 Ruth Ann Badini, Steven Mulka
Bradyn Wiedemeier
24 Andrew Reddinger
25 Andrew Person, Mario Santoni
Don Yuhasey
26 David Corlett
27 Henry Badini, Amber Hunt
Paul & Chris Langer
28 Clairice Strehlow
29 Dawson Rota, Dennis Smart
Parker Summerfield
31 Mark Shemanski
Hospitalized since our last issue: Jim Carefelle,
Alice Nord, Robert Strang, and Beverly Wright.
Congratulations to Ron and Julie Tass, who have
a new granddaughter. Makayla Ann Phelps was
born January 23 to Tom and Michelle Phelps.
Dear Trinity friends: Thank you again for a great
Tower newsletter! We greatly enjoyed Pastor
Geri’s positive articles and the progress being
made. It was my joy to serve Trinity as pastor
back in 1968-72 and be part of the growth and
activity then. We have been glad to visit a few
times since. Blessings to all.—Rev. Tom Brown
II, now in retirement/activity in Albion, Michigan.
Served at TUMC from 1968-1973.
“Dear Friends: Thank you for supporting our
church through the 2014 Marquette District Mission
of the Year. In the fall of 2013, we had to replace
two furnaces in our church. It is because of your
generous financial support and that of the other
churches in the Marquette District that we are debtfree. We are so grateful and deeply touched by your
kindness, generosity, and spirit of giving. God bless
you.” Sincerely, The Trenary United Methodist
Church Family
“Dear Trinity Family: Thank you so much for
thinking of me during the holidays! I very much so
appreciate the care packages and cards, and they
never fail to make me smile. Thank you for
brightening my day!” Sincerely, Katie Smeberg
Endowment Gift
The Rev. Donna Lindberg, who grew up in this
church, has graciously offered to Trinity United
Methodist Church the gift of an endowment
specifically designed for the faith formation of
middle school and high school youth. What a
blessing!
Whenever anyone gives us an endowment gift,
we as a community of faith are truly blessed by their
generosity. We are also encouraged by the giver’s
faith in us to be a viable and self-sustaining church.
Endowment givers trust this congregation to pay our
budget bills through personal offerings to the church,
while using their gift for specific, non-budgeted
activities that bring the life-changing message of
Jesus Christ to as many people as possible.
Rev. Donna has designated the middle and high
school youth activities as the focus for her gift, and
the hope is that some of you may be moved to add
and designate endowment funds to those programs of
our church, as well.***
The money she sent us has been invested through
Ameriprise, along with the other endowment gifts
that have been given to the church over the years.
Donna’s desire is that her specific fund will build up
to $10,000 before we draw on the interest to support
the youth of our church. We receive this gift with
gratitude and delight, and give thanks to Donna and
to God…for their extravagant generosity! She will
be coming to visit us sometime this spring.
***Endowment gifts become a permanent part of the
church’s assets—the original money given to the
church is not spent. The money that is earned
through interest and dividends becomes available to
the church, according to the wishes of the giver.
Endowments truly are the gifts that keep on giving!
…transform our community…
The Mission of the Month
By Nathan Ruble
One Great Hour of Sharing is our March
Mission of the Month. It benefits UMCOR (United
Methodist Committee On Relief).
UMCOR is a gift of love and grace for millions
of people around the world. UMCOR responds to
catastrophic disasters such as flooding, civil unrest,
refugee crises, landslides, earthquakes, and famine.
When the emergency ends, recovery work
begins. UMCOR continues its ministry long after
the media attention and public interest has faded.
The work of inventorying supplies, sorting them,
packaging them, and readying them for shipment is
done by many volunteers each day.
One Great Hour of Sharing makes all this
possible. Your offering for One Great Hour of
Sharing helps UMCOR to respond in kind
immediately when disaster strikes, like in Haiti in
January 2010, and pays its operating expenses.
UMCOR spends less than 4% of its total budget on
administrative costs; it receives no apportionment
funds. This is their sole means of support for their
operating expenses. Please give generously.
The celebration for our new kitchen stove on
February 15 was so well attended. Everyone had a
good time and great fellowship. Let’s do it again
soon. Thank you to all who helped. – Chris Langer
We received a grant from the Dickinson Area
Community Foundation for $2,017 to pay for
another Feeding America traveling food truck. The
truck will be here Saturday, June 13. It will be a
big semi-truck—double what has been here before.
Look for more details in the coming months, but
please mark your calendars for this. – Chris Langer
North Dakota Mission’s Super Bowl Sunday
Cinnamon Roll Sale Thank You. Our first-ever
Super Bowl Cinnamon Roll Sale was a HUGE
success thanks to all the generous members of our
Trinity family that supported the 2015 North
Dakota Mission Team and made a purchase or
donation. We thank you for the great participation,
hope you all enjoyed those rolls, and ask everyone
to continue praying for this year’s team; it will be
our largest team, with approximately 14 youth, and
your support in our future projects will be so
important. Again, thank you!
Come join us for the North Dakota mission
team’s 3rd annual Silent Auction & Lasagna
dinner, Sunday, March 22 at 5:30 p.m. here at
Trinity. Auction items can be viewed & bid on
after the morning worship services, & then starting
again at 4:30 p.m. There will be lots of items to
bid on, including several special items handmade
by tribal members, & donated by Mike & Libby
Flowers, missionaries at the Spirit Lake Ministry
Center. If you would like to make a craft item,
donate baked goods (breads, jams, jellies, canned
goods, etc.), quilts, knit or crocheted sweaters or
mittens, or have another special talent that can
benefit the event, please contact Scott Ritsema or
Diana Hunt at least one week in advance. We
thank you for your support.
--God’s blessings, Diana
Minutes of the Church Council Meeting,
February 16, 2015
Roll Call: Kristy Ryan, Adam Ryan, Blair
Daugherty, Jill Laitinen, Lea Varda, Terry Barnes,
Pastor Geri, Frank Trumbell, Bonnie Fortier,
Becky Person, and Chair Paul Grenier.
Paul called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Pastor led with devotions. Easter, a new
beginning. Gift of new life. Remember, we are
here to serve God.—Isaiah 44.
The agenda was reviewed. Pastor added
“Letter from Kiwanis.” Frank moved to accept the
agenda. Adam seconded. Motion passed.
Minutes reviewed. Adam moved to accept the
minutes. Frank seconded. Motion passed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Finance & Budget—Terry Barnes. The
committee met the previous Wednesday.
Recommendations:
1. Christian Educational Coordinator’s
salary should come out of the Bleecker
Fund for the next two years. Motion
passed.
2. Paying down of the building mortgage by
the end of September 2015. Set aside
$13,000 of Bleecker Fund money to help
pay it off. Motion passed.
Frank Trumbell—At the end of each month we
give Mike Laydon money that has been given
towards the building fund. That money is used to
pay on the mortgage loan.
We have $25,000 in the Bleecker Fund at this time.
The General Fund Balance at the end of January
was -$6865.31.
Voting Items:
Which strategy do we want to go with to set
goals for the church: Most opted for #4 Five
Practices of Fruitful Congregations. Adam
made a motion to utilize #4. Bonnie
seconded. Motion passed.
Trustees—Blair Daugherty. They met February 9.
An agent from Church Mutual Insurance attended.
There was a review of our church insurance. Work
on the ceiling is done. Blair suggests that
insulation should be added to the sanctuary
ceiling. A rough estimate for materials is
$800. Some electrical outlets still need to be
changed. Some lights still need changing. Brooks
Electric will return to finish. One of the furnaces is
not working. A change to air intake is
needed. The east end of the storage room needs to
be tiled after all the carpeting is taken out.
Staff Parish—Jill Laitinen. Their first meeting of
the year February 10. Members were assigned to
pastor, choir directors, etc.
Stewardship—Lea Varda. Sunday, February 22 is
the church-wide birthday party. Another party is
planned for April 19. Tentative date for the
church picnic is August 9. The theme will be
Sunday Evening in the Park. The morning church
service will be at the regular time. The evening
church service will be from 5:00 to 5:30. The
picnic and fun games will follow. Giving goal
cards were reviewed.
Endowment—Pastor Geri. Endowment money in
the amount of $8,000 has been received from
Donna Lindberg. It cannot be used until it grows
to $10,000. The Endowment Committee needs to
meet in order to tell Ameriprise how to invest it.
Donna Lindberg will be coming sometime, and her
name will be added to the Giving Tree. Pastor Geri
would like there to be a way to celebrate
endowments.
PROGRAM REPORTS:
Sunday School—Becky Person. It is going well
and averaging 25 children a week. Twelve to 15
adults are attending adult Sunday school each
week. The starter kit for VBS is here. Adam feels
the Sunday school curriculum is great.
Meal Program. A note from Chris Langer was
read by Paul. The new stove is working well. All
equipment has been checked. All seals that needed
replacing have been replaced, and condensers have
been cleaned and serviced. Coolant was added to
the refrigerator and freezer. Thanks to the Trustees
for paying the bill. The celebration of the new
stove on February 15 was well-attended. Thanks to
all who helped. A grant was given to Trinity by
the Dickinson Area Community Foundation in the
amount of $2,017 for the Feeding America
traveling food truck. The semi, double the size
than the one that has come before, will be here on
June 13.
(Continued on page 9)
Church Council Minutes
(Continued from page 8)
Methodists United in Ministry—Pastor Geri. The
next Car Care Clinic will be on May 9 or May
16. Insurance issues are taken care of. The Car
Care Clinic will have coverage for the work on the
vehicles. This will be an additional expense to
them, and they will be seeking a grant from the
District to cover this. They feel spaghetti dinners
are too common and so are looking at other options
to raise money for the Car Care Clinic.
United Methodist Women-Pastor Geri-Individual
circles are meeting each month. There will be no
general meeting until Lucy, the president, return
from Florida in April or May.
Coffee & Connection—Bonnie Fortier. Bonnie
will give Chris a list of items we need, as Chris is
going to Sam’s Club in the near future. Adam
suggests we purchase glass cups. We are looking
into purchasing Fair Trade Coffee.
Christian Education. Bill Verrette will not be
able to chair this committee. The committee will
meet on February 17. All Sunday school teachers
have been invited.
Methodist churches in the area are rotating
services on Wednesday nights during Lent. We are
doing Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday.
Pastor wondered if there was a committee for
the Marie Bleecker scholarship. Beth Clark takes
care of the scholarship. Frank said each
scholarship is $250. We gave out one last year.
She wondered when we held graduation
Sunday and was told it was the same weekend as
graduation. Graduation is the 22nd and 23rd of
May. That will be the last day of two services until
fall. Sunday school needs to decide when to be
done with Sunday school for this school year. A
motion was made by Adam for summer church
services to start at 9:15 a.m. on May 31. Jill
seconded. Motion passed.
OLD BUSINESS:
Frank Trumbell—At the December 29, 2014
meeting, a motion was made to use the
Thanksgiving and Christmas money in the
designated fund listing to offset end-of-year
deficits. This was seconded and approved. This
money was not used to offset the end-of-year
deficits, as it was not needed. It is still available.
NEW BUSINESS: None
Camp Michigamme—Adam Ryan. He would like
us to give more support to Camp Michigamme. He
would like to see more programming there. He
would like to see them bring back camping
outside. They need tents for this.
COMMUNICATION: None
Youth Group—Kristy Ryan. Seven to 15 to 20
kids are attending the youth group each week.
Most don’t go to this church. Some are going on
the mission trip and to Camp Michigamme. The
ping pong table needs repairing.
Respectfully submitted
Bonnie Fortier, Recording Secretary
Pastor’s Time—Pastor Geri. We received a letter
from Kiwanis. The are having an event on April
11. They are looking for projects for them to do in
the community. They are also looking for
volunteers to assist in this event.
There are 11 young people in the confirmation
class. Confirmation will take place on Palm
Sunday. Those in the confirmation class are
helping out at the community meal.
Pastor will hold new membership classes after
Easter. Nine people are thinking of becoming
members.
The Lenten books are here.
The next Church Council Meeting will be March
16 at 6:30 p.m. Frank moved to adjourn. Kristy
seconded. Motion passed.
Minutes of the Trustees Meeting,
February 9, 2015
Roll Call: Marsha Bonicatto, Blair Daugherty,
Gary Davidson, Pastor Geri Hamlen, Brad Harry,
Jack Noyce, Rick Thompson, Betsy Trumbell, and
Bill Uren.
Beth Kroeger, account manager for Church
Mutual Insurance, went over our policy coverage
for the church and parsonage. She suggested we
take photos or videos of each area of the church for
reference should we need to make a claim
sometime down the road. Trustees made two small
changes to the policy that would slightly reduce
our premium. Hartford Steam Boiler will inspect
our boiler equipment, and the bill will be sent to
(Continued on page 10)
Church Council Minutes
(Continued from page 9)
Church Mutual. We were not aware that this might
be covered by our policy.
Brooks Electric is still in the process of
replacing two-pronged outlets with three-pronged
outlets in both the church and parsonage. They
will also need to replace more bulbs in the
sanctuary, and Trustees discussed replacing all the
fixtures in the ceiling with LEDs. No action was
taken.
Blair will call Bjorn Johnson to look at the
noisy heater at the back of the sanctuary.
The large stationary coffee pot in the kitchen
has been repaired by a company in Green Bay. We
will not replace it with the same kind of unit if it
develops leaks again.
The boiler setup that heats the church has had
to be repaired again, and Blair, Rick, and Brad,
along with Paul Langer, will meet to discuss the air
intake system in hopes of coming up with a
solution to this problem that pops up more often
than we would like.
Blair priced out added insulation for the attic
over the sanctuary, and Trustees will hire someone
to install it. Circulating vents should also be
installed at this time to remove hot air in the
summer.
The church has accumulated odds and ends that
are no longer useful, and this is beginning to pile
up in closets and storage areas. In the next few
weeks, some “housecleaning” will take place, but
Trustees will include representatives from other
departments to make sure the potential discards are
not of value to someone.
Some minor work is needed at the parsonage,
but it is not an emergency and will be taken care of
as time allows.
Trustees continue to wrestle with the noisy
circulating fan in the Gathering Room. No action
was taken at this time.
Minutes taken by Betsy Trumbell
Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting,
February 11, 2015
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by
Chairman Terry Barnes.
In attendance were Terry Barnes, Michael
Laydon, Larry Bonicatto, Jack Noyce, Frank
Trumbell, Carol Trevillian, and Tom Slagle.
Mike moved to approve the minutes of the
January 21, 2015 meeting. Jack seconded. Motion
passed unanimously.
Jack offered a prayer to open the business of
the committee.
Frank submitted and discussed the Treasurer’s
Report for January. A general fund balance of
$476.35 existed on January 1, 2015. A negative
balance of $6,865.31 existed on January 31,
although it was slightly less at the time of the
meeting. The building loan balance as of February
4 was $29,857.65. There were no designated
offering for apportionments. The 100+ Women
designated fund was down appreciably, due to the
purchase of the stove and greater-than-anticipated
expenses associated with installations, particularly
the gas supply line. The previous balance from
poinsettia plants has been paid.
Mike expanded on the finance report. Last year
at this time, there was a negative balance of
approximately $400. However, there was a
substantially greater general fund balance on
January 1, 2014. January giving was actually up
$2,200 from last year. There are Christmas and
Thanksgiving designated funds from 2014 totaling
approximately $2,800. Mike questioned their
availability to meet 2015 general fund
expenditures. The consensus of the committee was
that they are in fact available for such a purpose.
Mike indicated that there would be no further
comparisons for 2014 versus 2015 until later in the
year.
Larry moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report.
Jack seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Old Business
Larry stated that he has the check for the Donna
Lindberg fund, and it will be given to the
Endowment Committee for investment through
Ameriprise (Marc Mogan). Investment gain will
likely be reinvested for a period of years before
investment gain is utilized for programming for
junior and senior high youth, in accordance with
Donna Lindberg’s wishes.
New Business
There are Bleecker Fund monies available in
the amount of approximately $25,600, which
includes some carryover from 2014. This money,
absent certain conditions, may not be used to pay
general fund budgeted items.
(Continued on page 11)
Minutes of the Finance Committee
(Continued from page 10)
Bleecker money has been used to fund the
Education Director position since its inception
midway through 2013. Larry moved that Bleecker
Fund money be used to pay the Education Director
position through 2016. Frank seconded. Motion
passed unanimously.
Mike discussed a plan to pay off the building
loan balance by September 2015. The building
loan checkbook balance would be used to pay
additional principal payments of $9,000 ($4,000
now and another $5,000 in September). Further,
Bleecker Fund monies of up to $13,000 would be
applied to the balance to pay it off in September.
Tom moved to recommend to the Church
Council to approve up to $13,000 from the
Bleecker Fund be paid on the building loan no later
than September 16, 2015. Mike seconded. Motion
passed unanimously.
Tom reported that the Staff/Parish Relations
Committee had discussed the idea of recognizing
church staff, particularly those with service
exceeding a decade or more. SPRC discussed the
possibility of recognizing staff in conjunction with
another event (when more people would be in
attendance) during the coming year. SPRC would
like to provide a gift with a value of $25-$30 to
those who have served a decade or more, and a gift
with a value of approximately $10 to other staff.
Mike moved to recommend that the Church
Council approve up to $300 in Sprague Fund
money for this use. Frank seconded. Motion
passed unanimously.
A short discussion was held regarding the
previous Church Council meeting, where goal
setting and the manner of goal setting was
discussed.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately
5:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Tom Slagle
(Minutes have not yet been reviewed and approved
by the Finance Committee.)
Trinity United Methodist Church
808 Carpenter Ave.
Iron Mountain, MI 49801
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Iron Mountain, MI 49801
Permit No. 81
March 2015
____________________________________
Trinity United Methodist Church
808 Carpenter Ave.
Iron Mountain, MI 49801-4704
Vol. 15, No. 2—March 2015
THE TOWER is published 11 times a year by
Trinity United Methodist Church for distribution to
its members and friends.
Pastor…………………………...Rev. Geri Hamlen
Choir Directors……...Greg Hunt & Emily Ritsema
Organist…………………………………Sue Saxon
Pianist……………………………… Grace Laydon
Custodian……………………………Larry Marlett
Nursery Attendants………………………………...
Sally Verley, Barbie Jo Slagle, & Ian Driscoll
Secretary……………………………..Sally Verley
Sunday Worship………………..8:00 & 10:30 a.m.
Sunday School …………………………..9:15 a.m.
Nursery Available Each Sunday
Office Hours……Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m.-noon
Website…………….…………. www.imtrinity.org
Phone 774-2545…………………….Fax 774-3123
Email………..…………[email protected]
The Men of Prayer group meets on the last
Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. We are
partnering with the other United Methodist
Churches in the area. The children have VBS. The
women have circles. Men need something, too!
Come and check it out. We’ll compare notes on
life and where God is working things out. Prayer
time will then be followed by Holy Communion.
Come and see what it’s all about. For more
information on the location and timing of each
month’s meeting, please call Scott Ritsema,
(906)282-4549.
Set your clocks ahead one hour
when you go to bed Saturday, March 7.