We are currently in the middle of our “Battle of the Benevolence” All-Stars. Similar to the previous “Food Fights,” you donate money to our benevolence’s and I do embarrassing stuff. Yet, this more than just a chance to see me try to keep down some lutefisk or kiss a baby pig. This is a chance to support our partners in ministry, partners that I not only believe in but give my time too.
This of course all started with “Stepping Stones of Dunn County,” an organization that has a food pantry, homeless shelter, and community volunteer program that makes connections to those in need. The food pantry continues to be busier than ever, the shelter continues to be full, and there are always people who need a hand in one way or another. I’ve been involved with them for a long time, first as a six-year board member and then heading up their new building program. Nowadays, I deliver food once a month to the Tiffany Apartments here in Boyceville and it has been great to bring food to the senior’s and people there that need it.
Sometimes it is easy to see the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin as “the Synod,” this big organization that just administers the church. But it is the hub of ministry. We have received services from the Synod that have impacted and helped our ministry. From help with visioning and long-range planning to stewardship resources to worship resources to help with our new constitution, we have been impacted in a positive way by the Synod. We feel the impact in their support of campus ministry, camping ministry, and even new ministry initiatives throughout our area. The church is bigger than just Trinity. It includes all of us in our area, state, nation, and world. One of the ways I’m involved in the larger church is that I serve on the Candidacy Committee, a committee that mentors and walks-with people from our area that are studying to be pastor’s and other rostered leaders. It has been great to see the faith and talent of those that are going to be leading the church in the future and I take great pride in being able to help them as they move through their education and learning experiences.
Luther Park Bible Camp has been a significant part of Trinity for decades. After all, we are part owners of the camp. There is something magical about being at camp and there is something special that happens to young people when they attend. Personally, camp was what sharpened and put into focus that God was calling me to ministry. We have been blessed to not only send our youth to camp, but have the camp come to us through Vacation Bible School. They are making an important faith impact in all of our youth. Many of our youth going to the National Youth Gathering not only went to camp multiple times, but have gone back as PALS during the summer or have taught kids in VBS and Sunday School because of the impact that camp made on them. For me personally, our time at camp every year is a chance to meet and be with our youth in a different setting, to be renewed in faith, and to get new ideas for ministry, and to fun as well. It is one of my favorite weeks all year.
I hope that you will participate in our “Battle of the Benevolence All-Stars.” You can participate by writing “Battle” on your check or putting a donation in the basket in the Narthex. You can also bring items for the food pantry that will count towards the Battle. But I hope that you participate because you can see that by supporting these ministries, you are supporting Trinity. All of our ministries are connected and through our partnerships with each other, we not only make an impact in the lives of others but we strengthen our faith and our own congregation. We are blessed to have such wonderful partners and for our shared ministry we can say, “Thanks be to God!” Amen
