Hi Trinity Family, 

At last week's service I shared some exciting but difficult news with the congregation: this month I am stepping down as lead pastor at Trinity to join Pioneers Church as a co-pastor alongside my wife, Sherei. The Lord has been stirring a call in me this year to join Sherei in this church planting mission, and the timeline has become clear recently that now is the right season for my transition. Where I am sad to be leaving Trinity, this is an exciting opportunity for my family to be in ministry together. 

On a practical note, a part of this transition will include Pioneers changing from the United Methodist Church to the Wesleyan Church denomination, a historic sister denomination of the UMC, which will also release Trinity from any obligations to Pioneers as a church plant. My last Sunday will be June 26, after which my conference appointed successor will step in. I know there will be many questions, and I want you to know that myself, Mark Daughtridge and the rest of the SPRC team are available to discuss any questions you might have. 

This is hard, but I know one thing for certain: God is with Trinity. Pentecost reminds us of the God who sent his Son and Spirit to be with us, to call us, and to send us. I have been witness to the movement of God at Trinity these past two years, and it has been my honor to come alongside you all in this work God has been doing in your midst. I am looking forward to seeing how God continues to move in your future as I am sent to minister at Pioneers. Thank you for being so good to me and my family during our time here. My heart overflows with gratitude toward each of you. 

Grace and peace,

Rev. Daniel Jackson

The Reopening Task Force has decided to continue with the extra precautions put in place last Sunday due to the rise in Covid cases in our area.  The Fellowship Hour for this Sunday, June 12, is canceled. And, we ask that everyone continue to wear masks inside the building.

Thank you, we hope to see you there on Sunday!

Join us this Sunday for the next sermon in the series, "Practicing the Way: How to be with Jesus, be like Jesus, and do what Jesus did." We will be streaming online at trinitydurham.org or YouTube. Our pastor, Rev. Daniel Jackson will be talking this Sunday about staying in step with the Spirit! The Scripture readings will be from Galatians 5:16-26, Matthew 7:24-27. We hope you will join us!

We finished Season 2 of our Steeped in the Faith series, The Chosen. 

We have decided to take the summer off for Steeped in the Faith.

More info to come regarding our next study!

Even before the school doors close on the 2021-2022 school year, the gifts of summer beckon—lengthening days, warmer temperatures, delectable fruits, more family time, looser scheduling. Perhaps the most beautiful part of any summer is in its beginning—our sighs of relief over what’s been achieved mingled with our excitement over what awaits us. So, here at the precious beginning, let’s pause for a moment and lift this summer in prayer for the LORD’s best for our families, our friends, our nation and our church with its ministries.  

This summer in each Steeple edition, Trinity’s Congregations for Children Committee will list a group of persons who touch the ministry that Trinity shares with our partner school, Eastway Elementary School. We hope that you will include this group in your prayers—for safekeeping, for wisdom, for wholeness, for God’s best. If you have suggestions for this list, please let us know.  

The first group on our prayer list, the Durham Public School Board, will be busy working through the summer to provide the best possible educational experience. Please keep them in your prayers.  

“Keep sound wisdom and discretion; so they will be life to your soul.” Proverbs 3:21-22  

Blessings,  

Mary Beth Markham and Gwen Palmer

Congregations for Children Co-Chairs 

We know that every day brings new opportunities to praise the Lord for all the big and LITTLE things! 

We want to celebrate with you. No matter how big or small, share with us the ways that we can rejoice over what God is doing in our midst. If you have something to share click here. 

Housing all starts small. If we all pitch in, that big number gets really small. How small, you ask?  

$15.76.  

Just think . . . YOU can help end homelessness for just $15.76!  

Go to LetsHouseDurham.org and buy a $15.76 brick.  

Together, we can challenge and empower each other to act on behalf of our community, providing the bricks that will come together and do something great!  

We can end homelessness in Durham brick by brick. Click here to go add your brick today!   

Let’s see what we can build together! 

Have you ever dreamed of visiting the Holy Land?

Now is your chance, we'd like to recommend an opportunity to join Rev. Ian Bailey and Educational Opportunities on a trip to the historic land of Israel. They have plans to pilgrimage throughout the Holy Land in worship, prayer, and revelation at the major historical sites found in the Bible. 

The rate for the trip is very reasonable. It will include your travel costs (both airfare and ground transportation), first-class hotels, meals (both breakfast and dinner) as well as the ticketing at historical landmarks we visit. An optional encounter will also involve, dinner at the home of a Palestinian-Christian family. This event as well as gratuity will not be included with transactions through our tour group (more information below). If you or someone you know is interested in going, but cost is an issue, we are working to secure some donors to create scholarships for this lifetime experience - so do not hesitate to reach out about that! 

We need to start our Financial Review of last year's reports. Anyone who has a few hours please contact Elizabeth Benson at e-benson@nc.rr.com. The work can be done independently any time before August, and we have detailed written instructions. 

We are asking for at least 5 volunteers to split the work, so please sign up.

Give if you can and call if you need.

Priscilla Horvath at Duke Regional • Martha and Pat Law following the death of her mother • David Katzenmeyer and family following the death of his daughter Kelley • The family of Dot Shoaf • Maria Ines Verdugo-Pratt (stroke) • Celia Ponder (recovering from surgery) • Pamela Benbow (sister of Marcia O’Neal) • The people of Ukraine during this time of crisis • Wayne Beverly • Micah Thornton (Marcia O'Neal's Grandson) • Carol Ayres • Susan Leggette • Jane & Paul Mickey • Dianne Foster • Daniel Jones (Kory's Cousin) • Myra Markham