Adult Learning Opportunities in April
Sundays at 9:45 a.m.

A Glimpse Into the Deaf World".
April 13, 20, 27 in the Chapel. Hosts - Elizabeth & Buddy Huntley and Audrae Wear. A fun class which will introduce you to basic American Sign Language (ASL), Deaf History and Culture with some touch of Deaf Humor now and then. Participants will learn the Alphabet, numbers, colors and everyday phrases to communicate with people who are Deaf and/or Hard-of-Hearing. Your enthusiasm and curiosity are more than welcome. Please join the fun!

Missions:
April 6th-Mr. Ron Henning shares his experiences with the Mwangaza Teacher Exchange and the ministry of Global Missions. Meets in the MPR.
April 13th & 20th-Art Milton shares his experiences as a member of the ELCA's missions trip to India. Meets in the MPR.

April 27th-Some of our LYO members will share their experiences serving in the Gulf to aid in disaster relief. Meets in the Blessed Beginnings Classroom.

Faith Builders Confirmation Ministry - 7th and 8th Grades

All those completing seventh and sixth grade should come with their adult family members after WOW on May 7 to the Orientation Meeting about Confirmation. GOD'S TOP TEN is the theme for
confirmation camp (June 23-27) at Abe Lincoln.

More details about camp will be given at the time of the meeting along with info about the requirements and commitments of the whole family needed for this faith journey to Affirm your Baptism.

For all interested people (like grandparents) Pastor Laura will also be teaching an adult class in the Blessed Beginnings Classroom on May 4 and 18 at 9:45 to learn the
what and why of the confirmation journey for the family.

Hands on Bible Sunday School for Preschool to 6th grade

Meet in the 2nd floor Sunday School classrooms. Students will not be permitted to leave the Sunday School floor unattended and will be released after classes to a parent or guardian. 

Newborns to 24 months come with your parent, grandparent or loved one to the Lounge for Happy Notes!

All classes are from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. every Sunday.

From the Children and Family Minister's Desk

May is a time that has many celebrations for those that are marking milestones in life and accomplishments made throughout the years). Trinity recognizes many of these celebrations/accomplish-ments in worship and fellowship. May 11 is Pentecost, the birthday of the church, and their will be 12 cakes (one for each month of the year) like last year for people to meet others with the same birth month. This is definitely a day to wear red (the liturgical color of the day) or a color of flames (like orange or pink) that appeared above the believers' heads.

May 11 is also Mothers' Day. The earliest tributes to mothers date back to the Greeks and Romans. Early Christians celebrated on the fourth Sunday in Lent in honor of Mary, mother of Christ. In England this holiday was expanded to include all mothers and was called Mothering Sunday. In the United States, Mothers' Day started nearly 150 years ago, when Anna Jarvis organized a day to raise awareness of poor health conditions in her community. She called it "Mother's Work Day." Fifteen years later, Julia Ward Howe, pacifist, suffragist, and author of the lyrics to the "Battle Hymn of the Republic," organized a day encouraging mothers to rally for peace, since she believed they bore the loss of human life more harshly than anyone else. In some countries, Christian communities have expanded Mothers' Day to include a celebration of the entire family, and all of God's family.

Educators, mothers being some of our earliest ones in life, will also be recognized on May 11. We are asking all Sunday School classes to start in Founders Hall before going to class, so that the teachers can be recognized too as part of the educators group. This includes the Children's Education Ministry Team (CEMT), Youth Education Team, Adult Spiritual Formation Team, Sunday School Teachers, Confirmation Leaders, Senior High Sunday School Leaders, and Adult Education Leaders.

One other group of folks to recognize on May 11, a group that most definitely has been affected by mothers and educators, our graduates. Should be one king sized hallmark event for all. We are taking care of God's "sheep" by recognizing them and their work**. This is good for them, us, and most importantly it is pleasing to our Lord who asks us to care for one another. Please, join us for worship, fellowship, and Sunday School!!!

** Graduate Recognition has been moved to May 25th due to a conflict with a local high school event.

See you in church and beyond its doors,

Jennifer