Test Driving Theology

Hello friends!

First of all, thank you, thank you, thank you!  Thank you for being here.  Thank you for deeply caring about the life of this congregation.  Thank you for your time, your energy , your faithfulness, your generosity, and your commitment to the mission and ministry of this church. 

Trinity is not just a building; it is a family of believers committed to living out the gospel through our words and actions. Your support, through prayers, service, and financial gifts, enables us to carry out God’s work in this community and beyond.  Thank you for being important parts of the life of Trinity. 

It is an absolute joy and a privilege to spend some time with you today as we look back on the past year and look ahead to the future. I love talking about this congregation, our mission, and the ways that God is at work here.  I absolutely love it.  

As I share this annual report, I do so with a deep sense of gratitude for each of you and for the ways God continues to work through Trinity Lutheran Church.

I just want to highlight a few of the larger things that really affected our community in this past year.

Development of Our Outdoor Worship Center

One of the most exciting developments this year has been the creation of our new outdoor worship center. This space, located on the front lawn, has been designed to offer a beautiful and sacred place for worship, prayer, and reflection. The stage, the pavilion and the sidewalks are in.  Because of a combination of weather, of having enough labor and materials available, the final elements of the project were delayed and will be completed this spring. 

Those elements include the prayer labyrinth, the small fountain, the landscaping throughout the project, and the installation of an ADA accessible ramp off of the west doors in the narthex directly out into the outdoor worship area.  We are looking forward to an inviting space that extends our worship beyond the walls of our sanctuary. I look forward to the many ways it will continue to be a blessing to our congregation and the wider community.  

• I am thankful to two of our families whose memorial and estate gifts initiated the project, 
• I am thankful to the congregation for financially supporting this project 
• and I’m grateful to the Trinity Foundation for providing matching funds.  
• I’m also grateful for Mohs Construction, who is leading the project, 
• and to Mark Knutson, who is serving as our liaison to Mohs, and is shepherding this project along for us.

Mark your calendars!  Our first full-blown outdoor worship is on the schedule for Sunday, June 1 at 10:45am.  From then through Labor Day, our 10:45am service will be in the outdoor worship space every Sunday, weather permitting.

Global Mission Initiatives

Another area of exciting growth has been our renewed commitment to global mission. This year, we launched a new partnership with a Lutheran congregation in Singida, Tanzania.  We have been working with the Southeastern Minnesota Synod of the ELCA to help facilitate and establish this partnership. The church is called “Kimpangua Lutheran Church.”  Kimpangua is working to establish a new school there, just outside of Singida.  We are excited about the possibilities of strengthening our connection to the global body of Christ. 

Right now, it still feels like we’re in the early stages of our relationship with the people of Kimpangua Lutheran Church.  It’s sort of like the awkward, Junior High school dance, when you’re all just looking at each other…wondering what they are like and what the best next step is.  

But as we get to know each other, the relationships will grow.  

We anticipate the two churches sharing messages of love and hope by video.  We are looking forward to supporting them in the development of the school, and we are eager to travel and visit them…to meet them face to face…and to establish ongoing relationships that are deep and meaningful.  

We are trying to approach this from a framework of accompaniment instead of simply generosity.  In accompaniment, the relationships is not a tool to a different end; the relationship itself is the goal.  

And we know that while there is certainly much we can share with our friends at Kimpangua, there is also much that we can learn.  We are not building this relationship in order to “fix” anything…we are building this relationship simply to be in relationship…the scriptures tell us that Christ is present in the midst of these relationships.  And we want to go, wherever Christ is present.  These relationships, are the heart of our faith, and I am grateful for the ways Trinity is answering this call.

Commitment to Local Ministries

Trinity continues to be deeply invested in our local community. Two of our newest commitments, Oak Hill Community Connections and the Lighthouse of Southern Minnesota , have been instrumental in expanding our outreach.

• Oak Hill Community Connections is vital program “in development,” that fosters relationships and builds bridges within our community.  We have been a part of helping to develop and support Oak Hill.  Jolayne Mohs on our staff, along with a good board of directors, has been working really hard on this project.  
  
  The renovations there will hopefully begin soon.  (There are lots of state and local codes and regulations that you have to take into account when you open new shelter space) and we look forward to the building opening to serve non-profits who work with those on the margins, and the new shelter space there probably in early 2026.  Speaking of the shelter space…

• The Lighthouse of Southern Minnesota serves as a beacon of hope for individuals and families in need. You are quite probably familiar with Rachel’s Light and Hospitality House…the two organizations merged January 1.  And we are excited to be supporters of this new organization.  

The Lighthouse anticipates relocating into Oak Hill Community Connections when that building opens, probably in early 2026,  and then expanding its women and children’s shelter space At that time, they will also launch a new initiative to provide housing for families in the community who are in need.  The men’s shelter program will remain in the current Hospitality House building.  

Trinity will be a part of the coalition of churches that have set out as a goal, raising the funds to pay the rent for the new Lighthouse of Southern Minnesota in the Oak Hill building.  We have money built into the 2025 and 2026 budgets for this purpose.

These partnerships remind us that the gospel calls us beyond our church doors; to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world.  They remind us that we are Trinity: Inside Out.

Trinity’s Strategic Plan

This year, we began the work of developing a new strategic plan for our congregation. Together, we have engaged in thoughtful discernment about where God is calling us in the years ahead. We will spend more time addressing the strategic plan later in the meeting, so I don’t want to get too far into it now.  I’ll simply say that our focus has been on deepening our discipleship, especially with children, youth and families, strengthening our ministries, and expanding our outreach.  I am very excited for the next chapter of Trinity’s journey.

And I’m grateful to the strategic planning team.  That group includes: Dan Dant, Erin Halverson, Marla Holt, Lauren Simon, and Josh Williams

Gratitude for Leadership and Staff

Of course, none of this would be possible without the incredible leadership and the staff that serve Trinity. To our church council, ministry teams and commissions, ministry leaders, volunteers, and staff, thank you. Your dedication, vision, hard work and general scrappiness, sustain and strengthen our ministries. This past year has had its challenges, but your faithfulness and commitment have ensured that through Jesus’ love and the work of the Holy Spirit, Trinity remains a place of welcome, connection, learning and service in the name of Christ our Savior.

And thank you to those who have continued to support the work of the congregation through your offerings.  Everything that happens here…from turning on the lights…to young people loading vans and heading out on a mission trip…to providing meals for families in our community through the student pantry or “Table for All,”…happens because of the generous giving of God’s people here.

Speaking of staff, a couple of quick updates.  As you know, Kate Verlautz, our director of high school ministry, left her position last month after 12 years of good, and faithful service.  We are holding off on beginning a search for this position.  We believe that our work in the next several months on our strategic plan will give shape to the ministry we do with young people.

So we want to delay recruiting for the senior high ministry position until we know exactly what the program will become, so we can hire the person with the right gifts to align with the congregation’s vision.  

In the meantime, Chris Swanson, Laura Jensen, Deacon Kris and a whole group of great volunteer leaders are doing a wonderful job continuing this really important ministry.  Thanks to all of you!

And of course, you are likely aware of the birth of Matthias James Meester.  The new son of pastors Chris and Laurel Meester.  Matthias is doing well.  You know he was born prematurely…but he is making good progress.  He’ll likely remain in the NICU in Rochester for another couple of weeks before he comes home.  So please keep him in your prayers.  

Looking Ahead

As we look to the coming year, I am filled with hope. We have been given incredible opportunities to serve, to grow, and to witness to the power of God’s love. I invite you to continue praying, giving, and serving with us, knowing that God is leading us forward in faith. I am confident, that Trinity’s best days are ahead of us.

Thanks be to God!