Julia's Family Flourishing + Last Chance RSVP

Hey, Campers!    Haven't registered for Trinity Camp yet? ⛺️ Register here TODAY ⛺️

A Family Flourishing Letter from Julia Barger

Dear Trinity Family,

Happy hot August!  I hope you are well and experiencing the love of God and neighbor in this time of waiting, wondering and trying to make decisions.

Last week I heard people asking, "What is God's purpose in these trying times?"  I began to reflect on my own desire for a sense of purpose, especially in suffering and trials.  I wondered if God wanted me to try to understand His purpose, or maybe His invitation is to trust Him and receive His presence. 

I want to let go of my desire to know the purpose and instead rest in God's presence.  Is God inviting you to trust Him and rest in His presence?  I would love to hear about it! Please email me.

At Backyard Church last Sunday, the Lord helped me more fully understand His invitation to presence.  A child shared that he missed hugging friends during Covid.  He wrapped his arms around himself and exclaimed, "I love hugging!  I am going to give God a huge hug!"  Then he drew this picture:

Wow!  Thank you, little one, for helping me see how present God really is!  I especially love God's big smile (and a wink?).  I wonder how we might imagine, illustrate or write about "hugging God"?  I pray that you will be filled with your heavenly Father's love and rest in His presence.  Matthew 11:28 - 30

Love,

Julia

PS - I will have children's lessons for Backyard Church available during communion pick up Saturday night 7-9 pm.  Please let me know if you need extra copies for your group.  

Links!

Sacred Space - I was ministered to by the 8/3 prayer.

SLOW  a five minute video retreat that is helpful if you are feeling anxious or need help settling/relaxing.

Psalm 30 - this Psalm music project by Poor Bishop Hooper is amazing.  I really loved Psalm 30 but I encourage you to explore the entire project (art and music).

Toddler Behavior translations - this article in Parents magazine explains toddler behavior and offers helpful suggestions.  I found this strangely applicable to my own behavior . . .🤔

Teaching kids/teens about debt - this seems like a really good time to teach our kids about finances.

Play with Paper course - a fun "at home camp" idea.

Bear helps road crew. .  this bear. . . .

Trinity Camp: Read below if you missed the deets

This year's Trinity Camp sessions on "The Gospel & Politics" can be watched live on Zoom, by recording, or together at church. Whichever way you choose, please register to help our staff get ready!

Please click the button below and then click "Join." Once you've completed the simple registration process, we'll be able to send you the links to attend each session. You don't have to register every week. Just complete this one-time process, and we'll send you everything you need for all 4 sessions!

*Note: You only need 1 registration per family

Technical issues with registering? Call 509-881-7737 or email hello@trinitywenatchee.org

Sign me up for Camp!

3 Ways to Watch

1. LIVE...Thursday at 8pm Join us online each week on Zoom. Register HERE.

2. On your own As early as Friday of each week, you can watch the recording here.

3. Together at church Every Saturday night at 6:30pm, join others in our church for an in-person viewing of that week's Camp Session. This will be held at church in the sanctuary, watching the recorded session on the big screen, with live Q&A with Pastor Matt.

Saturday Nights at Church

:::::

6:30pm   Gospel & Politics      w/ Pastor Ken Robertson                                                    &  Live Q & A  (Pastor Matt Canlis) 7:30pm   Evensong RSVP here & this week BYOB (blanket!) :) 8:00pm   Church Walk              Join our youth on an outdoor stroll!

::::: Join us for any part or all three!

Family Flourishing: Listening to Your Built-in Rhythms

My husband Marc at Ingalls Creek Trail July 2020

Dear Trinity Family,

Summer is here! In our 50's era house that means we break out our portable air conditioners and ask the question, "Why in the world did we buy a house with no AC?" But after living here 18 years we know the really hot weather only lasts a few months. We settle into a rhythm of rising early to open our home to the cool morning air. Around noon we close the windows, doors and draw the shades for the afternoon heat. At dusk we watch the sun set behind the hills enjoying the show and feeling a sense of relief. Nighttime invites us to lay on the cool grass to watch the stars dance as acrobatic bats fly overhead. Feeling the real presence of the sun and its power to direct our lives has been hard but good for us. We have to be faithful to our practices of morning, afternoon and evening. We talk about installing a heat pump (Marc is all in!) but for me, the daily practices remind me of God's invitation to rhythms that bring life and health. 

Lord, help me to daily open myself to your Spirit and Word, shut out the dangerous lies of the world, flesh and the devil, and rest in the promises of your faithfulness, generosity and love.

I wonder if there is something in your daily life that God might be using to draw you closer to Him in this season?

Have you visited Evensong yet? Last Saturday night, Will (a friend of Matt & Carson) invited us to consider freedom from John 8. He brought his London perspective (and accent) to our American ears.  Is freedom a reflection of our American ideal of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? How do these ideals fit with Jesus' declaration in verse 36: "If the son sets you free, you will be free indeed"? What is the freedom Jesus is promising?

Carson shared a compelling answer Sunday morning from Romans 12. Paul describes a life full of sacrifice, humility, generosity, emotional and relational sincerity, purity and peace. I pray that in this hard season we lean into opportunities to live fully free in Christ. Free from sin, free to serve, and free to love, free to sacrifice.

Jesus, hear our prayer!

Missing you all,

Julia

p.s. - if you want early access to RSVP for this Saturday's Evensong Service, you can reserve your spot here.

Links

Here are some links I  have enjoyed over the past few weeks:

Comet NEOWISE, I highly recommend looking at the comet through a pair of binoculars.  We have seen it over Burch Mountain as early as 10:30 pm the last few nights.

Ingalls Creek Trail - Looking for a moderate hike with a lovely creek to cool off in along the way?  About two miles in, there is a huge rock slide with gaps under the boulders that release cold air. God's air conditioning - see picture above! 

Heaven and Earth - The Bible Project sends weekly lessons by email. You can the short Video here if you don't have time to look through the whole lesson.

Kids feel pandemic stress too. . . - I appreciated this article reminding us that children can be deeply affected by the pandemic.  There are good practical suggestions. I would add a faith based component of prayer, Scripture and worship to their recommendations.

Ordinary Saints project - This is a beautiful new online project featuring art, poetry and music. A great retreat from news feeds and social media!

Hutchmoot 2020 - Matt and Julie have spoken at this special event in the past. Andrew Peterson and crew will be online this year with no attendance cap and a moderate fee.

Lord, help us to enter the "Spirit level of listening."

[Family Flourishing] Parenting our beloved children, as beloved children

Dear Trinity Family,

Thank you for your prayers for our son, Joel. He is recovering well. We are grateful for your love and support.  Parenting is a lifelong journey! Someone recently asked what stage of parenting we are in. I might call it the "stage of dependance." We are learning to trust God to help us be present to our children in unpredictable ways. Some are joyful like graduations and weddings. Others are difficult like medical emergencies and life decisions. We are often on our knees with our hands open. God's spirit ministers to us providing what we need. We are also strengthened by the love and prayers of family and friends.

I am thankful that Our Heavenly Father provides a "real life" parenting guide in the Gospels. God names Jesus "Beloved in whom I am well pleased" (Luke 3). God remains present throughout Jesus' life (Luke 6). Jesus trusted God in hard circumstances (Mark 14). I am challenged by these examples. A parent's call to proclaim love and pleasure in their children, to remain present in all kinds of circumstances and to encourage them to trust God can seem overwhelming.

But God, in His mercy, does not ask us to do any of these things on our own. Through Jesus, parents receive, "You are my beloved child, in you I am well pleased." And we can pass it on to our children. We love them and God loves them! We experience God's presence throughout our lives and we invite our children to join in through Scripture, prayer, worship, service, and ordinary life. By faith we live out the greatest commandment to "Love God and Love neighbor as ourselves" and we invite our children into this life of love.  

I pray that this summer, parents (and anyone who cares for children) will receive the Love of God and love your children in whatever "stage" of parenting you are in. And if you are looking for encouragement and community, consider joining the parenting zoom group beginning this Wednesday at 8:15 pm...

Join here >> Parenting: 3 books & 3 couples

Resting in Jesus,

Julia

PS - Be on the lookout for a special re-purposed paper bag arriving on Trinity Sunday school families doorsteps this week. Inside you will find activities, notes and other treats from your Sunday school team. We are missing the amazing Trinity kids!

Links

Family Activities for the summer - World Vision has some great ideas for ways to encourage generosity in your children

Waddling Together - a blog post about connecting and wonder.

Talking with children about Racism and Violence - This resource is practical with good recommendations. I would add reading scripture, prayer and reminders about God's presence and love for His children.

Amazing Swish Machine - Pastor Matt asked me to include a sports link - this is probably not quite what he had in mind, but it is pretty amazing!