Transfiguration Sunday is the last Sunday before Lent begins, and closes the Epiphany season.   The story of transfiguration Sunday is a miraculous experience of Peter, James and John, as they are on the mountain with Jesus, and they see him “trans-figured” before them.

Transfiguration Sunday is a day when we remember a moment when Jesus’ appearance changed, and he started shining bright with God’s glory. And just like that dazzling moment, we can also shine bright with love and support for others.

Join Trinity this Sunday for worship. Rev. Gray Southern, a former pastor of Trinity UMC, will be preaching on Sunday, Feb 11, 2024. Rev. Southern is also the former District Superintendent of the former Durham District.  

Pastor Tobi will be on retreat with the Confirmands.

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, a day on which we are called to remember our mortality. We speak the truth, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Currently, the world surrounds us with reminders of our mortality. With the rising death toll in Gaza, the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Sudan, and the daily gun violence that plagues our country, death dominates the headlines. We could say it’s similar to the terror named by the prophet Joel:

Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming, it is near—a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! Like blackness spread upon the mountains a great and powerful army comes; their like has never been from of old, nor will be again after them in ages to come (v. 1-2).

Joel then exhorts the community to turn to God in the hopes that God will intervene. Lest we think that Lenten disciplines are an opportunity to showcase personal piety, we are challenged to seek sincere inward change. As we sit in the ashes of world turmoil, Joel instructs us to do so “with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning” (v. 12). In so doing, our hearts can become fertile ground for God's transformative grace. 

From the NC Council of Churches Lenten Guide

Jesus’ final days were full of risk. Every move he made was filled with anticipation, danger, and the potential for great loss or great reward.

Jesus risked his reputation when he entered Jerusalem in a victory parade. He risked his life when he dared to teach in the Temple. His followers risked everything when they left behind their homes, or anointed him with costly perfume. We take risks as we read and re-read these stories, finding new meanings and new challenges.

In Entering the Passion of Jesus: A Beginner’s Guide to Holy Week, author, professor, and biblical scholar Amy-Jill Levine explores the biblical texts surrounding the Passion story. She shows us how the text raises ethical and spiritual questions for the reader, and how we all face risk in our Christian experience.

Join Pastor Tobi at the parsonage on Mondays at 6:30pm as we reflect on the last week of Jesus’ life and journey together through Lent.

Order the book or kindle here: https://a.co/d/9ld9BlF

Register for the class by contacting LaNella at Office@TrinityDurham.org (LaNella, would you keep a list of those who have contacted you and email them on Thursday the 15th and ask them to read the first chapter of the book in preparation for the class?)

Unfortunately, will swapping out my old backpack for a brand new one, I misplaced (read: mistakenly threw away) the previous volunteer sign-up cards! This time I won’t Mr. Magoo it! Please contact Travis (travis@trinitydurham.org and 706-351-9918) ASAP to volunteer with children’s Sunday School! Also, there are additional commitment cards circulating as well, find a commitment card this Sunday before or after service.

Seeking volunteers to sit at the office desk and direct members and guests arriving for Sunday School.  Just a 30 minute offering, from 9:30 am to 10:00 am.  Contact the church office to volunteer.

 “Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” (Romans 15-7)

• February 10th @ 7:30 pm - Trinity Youth Bowling Night -
• February 12th @ 6:00 pm - Children’s Ministry Dinner and Mini-Retreat in the Parlor
• February 13th @ 6:00 pm - Warrior Women meet at Pomodoro Italian Kitchen
• February 19th @ 6:30 pm - Lenten Study at the parsonage

 Join us and each other for bowling, food, fun, and fellowship this Saturday, February 10th, 2024, at Bowlero Bowling Alley, 4508 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, Durham, from 7:30 PM to 9 PM! Contact Liv (liv@trinitydurham.org) or Travis (travis@trinitydurham.org or 706-351-9918) for more information or to let us know you will be there! (TW)

On behalf of Open Table Ministry and our local homeless community, we extend our sincerest gratitude for Trinity UMC’s support in hosting the Durham Choral Society last Sunday! What a joyous and beautiful event that truly captured the spirit of moving from brokenness towards healing and hope. We’re pleased to share that $5218 was raised to support our unsheltered neighbors. All of this is only possible due to your generosity and faithfulness. Again, thank you!

Give if you can and call if you need.

Growing Thru Grief is a program offered by a coalition of area religious and civic organizations, which offers support and education to those who mourn. There is no charge to attend, and all are welcome.

Growing Thru Grief meets at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1200 West Cornwallis Road Durham, NC at the intersection of Cornwallis and Pickett Roads. Enter the church using the main entrance on Pickett Road. Our meetings begin with a presentation about a part of the grief process and then we break into small groups for conversation and sharing. 

Upcoming sessions:

February 13 “Here Comes ANOTHER Holiday!” with Bodie McCann

February 27 “What I Have Learned from 22 Date of Death Anniversaries” with Mandy Murphy

United Methodist News answers frequently asked questions about General Conference in A Beginner’s Guide to General Conference.

One of the questions is, “How does legislation become church law?” In answering this question, UM News refers to a Judicial Council decision based on a vote at the 1987 North Carolina Annual Conference that required delegates to reveal their General Conference votes. The Judicial Council ruled that delegates “are to vote based on their own conscience as moved by the Holy Spirit.”

Apply to Serve at General Conference

Help North Carolina welcome the world! Visit WelcomeToGC.org to apply to serve, discover places to stay, and explore Charlotte highlights.

The 50th annual Durham CROP Hunger Walk is scheduled for March 24, 2024. The walk will begin and end at Duke University Chapel, on Duke’s West Campus. For the health-vulnerable avoiding crowds, walk a personal route around your neighborhood, or favorite trail or track, and share photos of your walk with us via social media!

The Walk Route for 2024

A map of the 2024 Durham CROP Hunger Walk is available for download in pdf format.