We Shape our Buildings, and Our Buildings Shape Us
Picture: Master Plan Sketch (June 2025)
Dear Trinity,
On Monday night, we had a wonderful gathering and stimulating discussion around the experimental plans for the church building. The welcoming gardens, the daylight brought into the basement, or the new beautiful entryway didn't generate nearly as much discussion as the pros/cons to keep/move the stained glass windows! (Yes, these are divided times - ha ha). In our effort to restore the building to its original integrity from the 1920s, we are considering restoring the enormous front window and moving the 1960s stained glass (if you don't understand the art, they are symbols of the Brethren church). This photo shows a group examining the exterior evidence of the original window.
On Monday night, we had a wonderful gathering and stimulating discussion around the experimental plans for the church building. The welcoming gardens, the daylight brought into the basement, or the new beautiful entryway didn't generate nearly as much discussion as the pros/cons to keep/move the stained glass windows! (Yes, these are divided times - ha ha). In our effort to restore the building to its original integrity from the 1920s, we are considering restoring the enormous front window and moving the 1960s stained glass (if you don't understand the art, they are symbols of the Brethren church). This photo shows a group examining the exterior evidence of the original window.
One woman mentioned an inner conflict she was having, because she has had a powerful experience of worship in Thailand in a hovel. This discussion reminded me that beauty - to be beauty - is always in service of neighbor and vital love/worship of God. This is the classic trio of beauty, goodness (love of neighbor) and truth (love of God). When beauty is pulled away from these, it can become deadly. But love of neighbor and love of God can be strengthened and deepened when incorporated in and with beauty. They must all be kept in conversation with one another. To pull beauty away from these also leaves us impoverished, and does not reflect the generosity of a God who created a beautiful, abundant place in which we live.
Many of us come from traditions which were birthed out of a reaction to the excesses of the medieval church, and which prioritized beauty at the expense of love of God and of neighbor. So we don't quite know what to do about beauty. All things can become idols, but this does not make them dangerous. The more we spend time in Scripture and see the attention given to the beauty of the temple in the Old Testament, or to the beauty of the new Jerusalem in the new, we know beauty crowns God's goodness. It highlights it, allows us to worship, and even can help in our journey toward holiness. As C.S. Lewis reminds us, "There is no good trying to be more spiritual than God. God never meant man to be a purely spiritual creature. That is why He uses material things like bread and wine to put the new life into us. We may think this rather crude and unspiritual. God does not: He invented eating. He likes matter. He invented it.” The eucharist is the highest example of a God who ministers to us through normal things like bread, wine, buildings, friends, gardens.
As Churchill also said, “We shape our buildings - and afterwards, they shape us."
What kind of an impact will this have on our parish, who now can hear our bells ring on the hour - the music of which has been celebrated by our neighbors, reminding them that God is here in their midst?
These are the questions we are still praying through, and need you to answer with us …
Please join us in continued prayer and wondering. And as a part of that, perhaps you can tell us two things you liked about the plans from Monday, and one thing you’d like to see improved!
Julie
Many of us come from traditions which were birthed out of a reaction to the excesses of the medieval church, and which prioritized beauty at the expense of love of God and of neighbor. So we don't quite know what to do about beauty. All things can become idols, but this does not make them dangerous. The more we spend time in Scripture and see the attention given to the beauty of the temple in the Old Testament, or to the beauty of the new Jerusalem in the new, we know beauty crowns God's goodness. It highlights it, allows us to worship, and even can help in our journey toward holiness. As C.S. Lewis reminds us, "There is no good trying to be more spiritual than God. God never meant man to be a purely spiritual creature. That is why He uses material things like bread and wine to put the new life into us. We may think this rather crude and unspiritual. God does not: He invented eating. He likes matter. He invented it.” The eucharist is the highest example of a God who ministers to us through normal things like bread, wine, buildings, friends, gardens.
As Churchill also said, “We shape our buildings - and afterwards, they shape us."
- How do we want to be shaped?
- How do we want newcomer who arrives to know about the God who loves them, who calls them to a relationship of intimacy with him, and to feel welcomed into a community (once they have found the front door)?!
- How do we need to be investing in this space in a way not only for ourselves? Where do we need to be embedded already in these relationships? Will you help us make these connections?
What kind of an impact will this have on our parish, who now can hear our bells ring on the hour - the music of which has been celebrated by our neighbors, reminding them that God is here in their midst?
These are the questions we are still praying through, and need you to answer with us …
Please join us in continued prayer and wondering. And as a part of that, perhaps you can tell us two things you liked about the plans from Monday, and one thing you’d like to see improved!
Julie
Try a Team this Summer!
Hi Trinity Family,
As we enter into a season of warm sunshine and flourishing, I would like to invite you to consider trying out a Trinity Team for the Summer. Our Fellowship, Tech, Prayer, and Child check-in Teams are in real need of new additions in order to fully blossom. Would you be willing to risk trying one out? I will follow up with a conversation to discern if it is a good fit for you or if something else might fit better. Please fill out this form to let me know of your interest in join one of the teams for the Summer.
Together,
Karin Abbott
As we enter into a season of warm sunshine and flourishing, I would like to invite you to consider trying out a Trinity Team for the Summer. Our Fellowship, Tech, Prayer, and Child check-in Teams are in real need of new additions in order to fully blossom. Would you be willing to risk trying one out? I will follow up with a conversation to discern if it is a good fit for you or if something else might fit better. Please fill out this form to let me know of your interest in join one of the teams for the Summer.
Together,
Karin Abbott
Small Miracles
Summer Lunch Program Starts June 23
For seven years Trinity Church has partnered with Small Miracles to serve lunches to children at the park closest to our church (Methow Park). This summer, Small Miracles will be coordinating the site through their Central Headquarters. We invite you to sign up for a weekly slot! This is one simple way that you can go face to face with kids in our neighborhood.
What is involved? Each Monday through Thursday, volunteers serve pre-prepared sack lunches. You can sign up just once, or multiple times throughout the summer to develop more of a relationship with the kids.
How long does it take? There are two different roles that each take about an hour. The setup+serve person shows up from 10:30-11:30am. The serve+return person does 11am-noon. You always work with other people so that you’re not alone.
How will I know what to do? Training is provided online.
Who can participate? Anyone! Families are welcome to serve together, so bring your significant other, children, etc.!
What is involved? Each Monday through Thursday, volunteers serve pre-prepared sack lunches. You can sign up just once, or multiple times throughout the summer to develop more of a relationship with the kids.
How long does it take? There are two different roles that each take about an hour. The setup+serve person shows up from 10:30-11:30am. The serve+return person does 11am-noon. You always work with other people so that you’re not alone.
How will I know what to do? Training is provided online.
Who can participate? Anyone! Families are welcome to serve together, so bring your significant other, children, etc.!
Newcomers Dinner
June 14 @ 6pm
Come enjoy dinner together with Pastor Matt and other newcomers at the home of Mike and Karin Abbott. We will get to hear Trinity Church's backstory, have time to share about how we all came to be at Trinity, and ask Pastor Matt anything.
Godly Play Update
New digital check-in starting June 22
Families, please be aware that we are switching to a digital check-in process for children on Sunday mornings beginning June 22nd. As our church continues to grow, keeping children safe is one of our utmost concerns. This digital check-in will help us in these efforts.
There will be a station set up in the Narthex, with a designated person available to assist you. When you get to the station, simply touch the screen, follow the prompts to enter your phone number, select the children you are checking in, and print name tags. It will print a name tag for each child you checked in, and a pick up tag for you. You will need the pick up tag if you have children in nursery and preschool. Other children will be escorted back to service by our adult volunteers. We will have handouts and video tutorials coming soon.
Before you check in children for the first time, please update your family's registration using this link: Kids Registration. You will only need to fill out the form one time, unless something changes for your family.
There will be a station set up in the Narthex, with a designated person available to assist you. When you get to the station, simply touch the screen, follow the prompts to enter your phone number, select the children you are checking in, and print name tags. It will print a name tag for each child you checked in, and a pick up tag for you. You will need the pick up tag if you have children in nursery and preschool. Other children will be escorted back to service by our adult volunteers. We will have handouts and video tutorials coming soon.
Before you check in children for the first time, please update your family's registration using this link: Kids Registration. You will only need to fill out the form one time, unless something changes for your family.
We are looking to equip more spaces for our growing population of kids - if anyone has comfy chairs, bookshelves, or a small to medium desk they'd like to donate, please reach out to Kelsee at kelsee@trinitywenatchee.org or 509-607-0785.
Budget Update
May 2025
With one month to go in our budget cycle, we wanted to give you an update on how things are looking. This past year, we increased our budget by 3.7% over last year’s actual income in order to meet the needs of our growing church. But with two months to go, we’re $71,000 behind where we need to be. Our overall budget for this year is $550K. Please consider giving a gift today!
You can give on our website or the new church app.
Giving Options:
**Have your bank automatically send recurring checks to Trinity Church as a “bill pay” recipient. This option avoid the fees, and it’s automatic so that you don’t have to remember to write checks every month.
You can give on our website or the new church app.
Giving Options:
- No fee: Recurring Bill Pay via your bank**
- 1%: ACH
- 2.3%: Credit/Debit Card
**Have your bank automatically send recurring checks to Trinity Church as a “bill pay” recipient. This option avoid the fees, and it’s automatic so that you don’t have to remember to write checks every month.
Mailing address:
Trinity Church
535 Okanogan Ave
Wenatchee, WA 98801
Trinity Church
535 Okanogan Ave
Wenatchee, WA 98801
If you’d prefer giving by cash or check, we have a basket in the lobby each Sunday where you can place your gift before the service begins.
Trouble setting up a gift? Contact Susannah Kellogg at (509) 710-5071 or susannah@trinitywenatchee.org
Trouble setting up a gift? Contact Susannah Kellogg at (509) 710-5071 or susannah@trinitywenatchee.org
Coming Up at Trinity Church
Bulletin Board
Our bulletin board is a place where you can express a need to our church body (ex: housing, items needed, jobs wanted, etc.) so that others can reach out and respond. Have a submission? Please email hello@trinitywenatchee.org for us to review.
- Karla Edwards is looking to borrow an amplifier and a cord for Addi’s electric bass lessons this summer. Does anyone have these items that they could borrow? Contact Karla at 206-852-6862.
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