Trinity UMC-Sequim

💟 Thank you to our Taizé team who led another restorative evening prayer service last night. We're so grateful you offer a bubble of peace in this hectic time, where we can take a moment to breathe more easily in the serene presence of Jesus Christ.

Our Taizé service is usually held on the fourth Wednesday of every month, but to flow around holiday schedules, we will be holding the next two services on November 18th and December 16th. The holiday season might get busy, but don't forget to take a moment to slow down. 😌

🧣Hats, Gloves, Scarves—Cold Weather Clothing Collection

If you have any hats, gloves, and/or scarves—new or gently used—that you wish to donate for people in need, please bring them to the church and place them in the container in the coat rack area or leave them in the church office. We would like to have some of these items on hand to offer anyone seeking warmth as the seasons turn to colder months.

💟 We thank everyone who has already kindly donated. And due to your generosity, we've received such a good amount of coats that we can strike coat collection off our list! Thank you!

Taizé this Wednesday, October 28, 6:30 P.M.—An Evening of Peaceful Prayer

Taizé began 80 years ago during World War II in Nazi-occupied France. Its founder, Brother Roger Schütz of Switzerland, was seeking a means of reconciliation and communal healing, a way to find peace at a most unpeaceful time. He chose a house in the little village of Taizé from where the movement took its name. Since its foundation it has been ecumenical, specifically nondenominational to break down barriers to welcome and appeal to all.

We embrace that commitment: join us for a contemplative evening prayer service in Taizé style on October 28th at 6:30 P.M. in the Trinity U.M.C. sanctuary. Doors open at 6:15 P.M., service starts at 6:30 P.M. and lasts 30-45 minutes. Taizé-style worship includes candlelight, short readings, moments of silent prayer, soft music with repetitive words led by singers and musicians, and icons used as spiritual tools of visual focus to encourage stillness.

For all those in the Sequim community seeking an opportunity to step away from the commotion of everyday life and experience a quiet time while centering on the Lord, our doors will be open.

Remembering and loving those who have gone on before us.

🔎 Sunday Preview—Our sermon series concludes this week on the topic of "Grieving to Rejoicing."

"When the Spirit of truth comes, she will guide you into all truth... The truth of the matter is, you'll weep and mourn while the world rejoices; you'll grieve for a time, but your grief will turn to joy." (John 16:13,20)

Our commitment to neighboring, not othering, is sealed by the knowledge that we are alike in our grieving and in our desire for joy. We come to the table today to remember the cloud of witnesses. We are grateful that their lives are part of the fabric of Love itself. One thing is true: no matter how different we may seem, we all grieve those we have loved that are no longer with us. Help us to live in the compassionate truth that in this we are truly neighbors, not "others." The evidence of Love is that joy comes like the dawn of a new day if we allow it to work in us. And if we allow Love to flow through us to others, seeing strangers as neighbors, the healing effects are multiplied. We proclaim that no one, especially those who seek to harm or destroy, can take away the joy that comes from God's Ever-Present Love.

🕯️ This Sunday we will also hold our All Saints candle lighting to honor and remember loved ones and friends of our church family who are no longer with us. Prior to worship, all the congregation are invited to light a candle in memory of anyone who they have lost. Then, after our opening hymn and welcome, the names of those who have passed away this year will be announced and a loved one will be invited to come forward to light a candle in their honor.

We invite you to join us. Service begins at 10:00 A.M. in-person or livestreamed online. https://greaternw.zoom.us/j/99096739838

🎄🎼 Carols for the Coming Christ 🎼🎄

We're getting in the Christmas spirit a bit early with a new project that we need your help with! Our Advent and Christmas theme this year will feature carols that have shaped our experience of faith. We aim to put together a devotional of our congregation's favorite carols to pick up at the start of Advent. To let us know about your favorite carol, please pick up a Study Your Own Carol guide in the Fellowship Hall, complete and return to the church office by November 6th.

No exceptions: What it means to love one another | UMC.org We’re called to love everyone, even those we don't know, like, or trust. Start by recognizing our connections, seeing all people as beloved, and praying for strength.

📸 Photographs Wanted!—Pastor Vonda is seeking photo submissions capturing the theme "wonderful life." These could be any kind of pictures that celebrate life's blessings: friends and family, nature, church activities, ministry events, etc. Wherever you see wonder and joy in life, we'd like a picture. The photos will be shown prior to prayer time during the three Sundays before Advent.

📧 Please submit photos by October 31st to [email protected].

🍂 Our 135th Harvest Celebration lunch was a rousing success! We loved seeing the Fellowship Hall decked out in autumn colors and fall foliage, each table bubbling over with joyful community and lined with plates of potato piled high with chili, cheese, sour cream, and green onions, spiced apple cake and whipped or ice cream served on the side. Thank you for joining us—and a round of applause to all our members who put in the work to cook, clean, and make it all possible!

We're so grateful for your presence and hope to see you again next time! 🍂

❗️CANCELLATION—Men's Monday Breakfast is cancelled this morning due to technical limitations in the kitchen. The Men's Bible Study is still on, however, at the usual time of 9:30.