Secretary’s Report 2008/09
Proud
(with thanks to Heather Small)
It was a few weeks ago, taking my turn in a service to give the Bible readings, that the theme for my report came to mind. Less impenetrable than some of Paul’s teaching, it was still a surprising passage; I actually checked with Meryl that she meant me to read it. Amongst other things Paul says, “I am obliged to boast…. I find my joy and pride in the very things that are my weakness…for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
It is all too easy to become dispirited during a long vacancy, and for us it is three years since Brian’s retirement. We could look at the empty seats and wonder anxiously what the future will bring, but do very little about it. Many churches find that their vacancy is a fallow time, the church does not move on, and little is achieved as the hunt for a new minister takes up all the time and energy. The church lacks initiative and imagination in the interim. Not so Trinity.
We step out of the ordinary
• We can be proud of our worship.
Firstly, I want to thank Meryl who leads us inspirationally every month, as well as giving her support in so many ways to all that we do. Her talents are not only recognised by ourselves and our partner churches, but also by our friends across the road. She is frequently invited to events at the catholic church and preached there earlier this year in the Week for Christian Unity. This is no small ecumenical thing.
In addition to Meryl and the variety of visiting ministers we enjoy, we should celebrate that around 32 of us lead or assist in taking services and even more contribute in our
un-
To question is to grow.
• We can be proud of our community and charitable concerns
Trinity is nothing, if not a questioning church. It is the basis of our weekly worship, and, if we don’t always know the answers, at least we have the confidence to explore our questions and doubts together. And we are not alone. The popularity of our Autumn Lecture series grows and grows, with newcomers every time. Another fascinating series is to start next month. Thanks as always to Maureen for all the time, effort and anxiety that she devotes to this vital piece of outreach.
Outreach is what we do. The Autumn Lectures are only the start. Not forgetting the
ongoing work of our Day Centre, Saturday Coffee Bar, Christmas Craft day, the Christingle
service, as well as providing a home for the Community Pre-
In 2008 Trinity made donations to appeals for the Congo, Zimbabwe and Burma, and Salt of the Earth in S. India. Together with giving to local and national good causes and sundry donations and subscriptions the total donated was £6340. £277 from the coffee bar was donated to Child Advocacy International which now supports a Ugandan orphan project.
Trinity individuals realised the sum of £5739 for Commitment for Life in Palestine.
Harvest and Christmas collections supported Water Aid and Open Door respectively.
Personal giving in the period between September and December 08 amounted to a total
of £7200. This from about 50 members? Incredible. And while money is important, we
should remember that this is in addition to all the time and energy spent by Trinity’s
socially concerned individuals to support international, multi-
What have you done today?
• We can be proud of our day to day work
Even during this time of vacancy things move on. As well as completing the list of maintenance tasks on our building following the Quinquennial report, we have refurbished the disabled lavatory, and replaced the main boilers. Our thanks must go to Jenny, Nick, Malcolm and the rest of the F&GP for all the work that they do to keep us financially viable and comfortably housed.
We stay in touch. Representatives from Trinity are active in the Synod and the Area as well as in CTSA.
Our social and pastoral networking remains strong. Trinity members constantly support each other through times of sickness, worry or bereavement in many hidden ways such as lifts, shopping or hospitality; more visibly, with coffee mornings, quizzes, parties, meals, outings and this year, a ramble and pub visit! Also this year we had a music and poetry evening to celebrate the newly revamped organ and ties with Forward in Faith improved as they joined us for an Elders’ lunch and for our Mince Pie Tea and Carols.
Change. Do it today
• We can be proud that Trinity is always ready for change
A time of vacancy scares some people because it inevitably brings change. But change is for Trinity positive, producing opportunities for creativity.
We are about to have a different Secretary. As I step down I would like to thank everyone for the tremendous and unstinting support you have always given. I thank Andrew on your behalf for taking on the job again. I know that we are in very safe hands.
You have just heard about some of the initiatives which happened during the past year. In the spirit of moving on, what future initiatives are planned?
Communication is the way forward, so look out for all the ways we will be making a noise in the year ahead:
• A new creative team, ideas and circulation for a revamped ‘Grapevine’
• Blowing the Pastorate trumpet in Reform
• A Trinity Facebook forum for debate
• A new-
• An Art Exhibition and open day next summer
• A special Elders’ meeting for creative planning
• Increased activity together with our pastorate partners including a Vision4Life workshop, a Songs of Praise service with our partners at Harpenden and other regular joint services.
Yes, we have been in a vacancy for what seems a long time. But in this ‘weakness’, we are still strong.
HOWEVER, all of this needs YOU. Could you be the next Secretary-
What is your talent?
Don’t, please, leave it to others: the Elders, the younger, the less busy, the more confident ……
Step out of the ordinary…
Leave your fears behind…..
You could be so many people…..
Do it today….
……What have you done today,
to make you feel proud?
