Women of Wisdom: Spring Ladies' Luncheon 2019

Women of Wisdom: Spring Ladies’ Luncheon 2019

On June 9th, Trinity held its first annual Spring Ladies’ Luncheon. The idea was created by Deb Mongiardo, a member of Trinity’s staff. She hoped that an afternoon filled with good food, good company, and good conversation would help bring our already strong church community even closer.

Upon their arrival, the women were given name tags and were encouraged to sit with people they hadn't met before. There are so many people we see every week at church, but how many of those familiar faces do we turn into friendships? A simple conversation is enough to begin a relationship, and that’s how the luncheon began. The women shared their lives with each other as they waited to be called to the table. 

The groups were dismissed one by one to fill their plates with a delicious, catered lunch. The brightly colored dishes matched the lively atmosphere of the room!

A question and answer panel session followed lunch. Questions, which were compiled prior to the event, were answered by a group of Trinity women gathered at the front of the room. After a question was read, any of them were free to take the microphone and share their thoughts. The women were open and authentic, filling the room with God’s presence through their inspiring words. Many of them talked about overcoming parts of their journey, and it was encouraging to hear how their relationship with God helped them through tough times. They shared how difficult moments turned into beautiful lessons, and eventually, shaped them into who they are. The wisdom passed from the speakers to the audience was a blessing to all.

If you didn’t get the chance to participate this year, mark your calendar when the Second Annual Ladies’ Luncheon comes around next spring! It was an afternoon filled with great food, laughter, and many wise words. Thank you to everyone who helped organize the event, and thank you to all the lovely ladies that attended!

- Rachael A. Kelley

Rachael is a student in the Professional Writing Honors College at Appalachian State University. Photos by Rachael Kelley.

A Night to Remember: Daddy Daughter Dance 2019 Recap

A Night to Remember: A Recap of Daddy Daughter Dance 2019

This past Saturday evening, Trinity hosted it’s annual Daddy Daughter Dance. The dance was held near Valentine’s Day again, so the fellowship hall was covered with plenty of hearts and the color red. This year, we had 27 dads and 35 daughters join us for a fun night together. Having attended this event for the past 6 years with my daughter, it was fun to see familiar faces and lots of new ones as girls ages 3-12 took part in the evening festivities. 

The dads and daughters started off by getting their portrait taken by our photographer, Bruce Edwards. As dads and daughters finished getting their pictures, they spent time talking with other dads and girls and watching the slideshow of pictures that dads submitted of them spending time with their daughters. As the slideshow played, we were treated to music by our guest DJ, DJ Chase, teenage son of DJ Ray, who was in attendance again with his daughter.

In addition to the photo shoot with Bruce, dads and daughters could also get silly pictures taken with lots of fun wigs and props at our selfie station. There also was a craft station, where daughters could decorate their frames for their pictures. Pictures from the photo shoot will be printed, framed, and sent to dads later, so be on the lookout for those.

After some time had passed, it was the moment for the promenade. Pastor Scott read info about each of the dads and daughters as they took turns promenading their daughter or daughters around the dance floor. It was fun to hear about all the fun things that the dads and daughters shared together and even what the daughters wanted to be when they grew up. 

Since there were a lot of dads and daughters to announce, we were definitely ready to eat dinner. One by one each of the tables was called to get their kid friendly buffet of chicken fingers and mac & cheese from local eatery, Marino’s Grill. Instead of desserts this year, dads and daughters could load up on candy at the candy bar. There also was a challenge to see which dads and daughters could get a cookie off their forehead and into their mouth without using their hands. My daughter and I only succeeded in getting lots of cookie crumbs in our eyes, but some of the dads and daughters were successful. You’ll have to see the pictures to believe it. 

Before it was time to dance, there was one more challenge. A cookie decorating contest! Dads and daughters decorating blank heart cookies together with icing and candy. Before they could eat, the cookies, Debbie Rollins, the dance coordinator, took pictures of each creation. The cookie pics were later posted on our Facebook page and visitors to the page could choose their favorite. My daughter and I received a lot of likes for our “angel” cookie, but we were no match for Neil Salmon and his daughter Holly’s heart glasses cookies. Congratulations, team Salmon! 

After the cookie decorating, it was time for the main event: dancing! Dads and daughters slow danced together for a few numbers and enjoyed some dance favorites, the Cupid Shuffle, Macarena, the Twist, Apache, and lots more. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Daddy Daughter Dance without the Limbo. In past years, the dads did the Limbo as well, but they got off the hook this year. After all the food, activities, and dancing, it was time for the dance to end. A lot of the dads and the daughters stuck around afterwards to cleanup the fellowship hall and get it ready for Sunday morning. 

Thanks to all the dads and daughters for coming out. A big thanks to Debbie Rollins and all of the moms and church staff who helped out and made this special night possible. It was truly a night to remember.

–Mike Ralph, Communications Director

To view all of the pictures and portraits from Daddy Daughter Dance 2019 by Bruce Edwards, click here.

A Snow Covered Sunday: Winter Fest 2019

A Snow Covered Sunday

On the morning of Winter Fest, our youth mission team’s annual winter-themed family fun event, we were greeted with a blanket of snow outside. For those that have not attended Winter Fest in the past, each winter our youth transform the church downstairs into a winter wonderland and play winter-themed games with the kids. It’s a time for kids and their parents to relax and beat the winter cold and post-Christmas doldrums. We try our best to bring the winter weather inside, but this time, winter came to us.

The snowstorm did not deter the faithful though as families made their way to church this past Sunday afternoon, lining up inside and eagerly awaiting to purchase their tickets. The kids rushed to be the first to play some of the favorite game stations, like indoor snowball fight and the hockey shootout. In addition to games, kids made a winter-themed craft, and got winter makeovers at the face painting station. DJ Ray was there again providing the musical backdrop as the Polar Bear Café served steaming hot chocolate and goodies and families stopped at the photo booth to get their picture taken. Many of our Trinity staff were there, chatting with parents and kids, and Pastor Ron even joined in the fun, challenge a few kids at the basketball shootout. Of course, it would not be a festival without prizes, as smiling kids traded in their tickets and stuffed their pockets with lots of trinkets, much to the dismay of the parents looking on.

 Although our numbers for the night may have been down due to the snow and time change, it did not damper the fun. A big thanks to our youth mission team students and leaders for hosting this great event. The team raised $500 from the night, which will be used to help fund the team as they travel to Lexington, KY, this summer to serve people in need. Thanks everyone for joining us. See you next winter, snow or shine!

– Mike Ralph, Director of Communications and Youth

To see all of the pictures from Winter Fest 2019, click here.

Freezing for a Cause: Jingle Run 2018

Freezing for a Cause

With the frost still covering the ground and temperatures dipping into the 20s, church members, friends, and community members gathered at Ella Harris Park in Mullica Hill for our annual Jingle Run 5K and Walk this past Saturday. While most people would rather be spending a Saturday morning in December catching up on sleep or cuddling by the fire reading a book, these brave adults and children, some dressed as Christmas elves or wearing jingle bells, chose to run, walk, and even scooter the 5 kilometer course that weaved through the park and nearby subdivision. 

Each year of the annual run, Trinity chooses a charity to support with the funds collected from registrations. This year, 100% of the money collected supported Underground Church, a homeless ministry in Millville. A total of 39 runners and walkers participated, and thanks to registrations and donations, over $1300 was collected for this year’s cause. 

After Pastor Ron said a prayer for the participants, the walkers started their trek. Shortly after they left the park and headed to the subdivision, it was the runners turn. After some time had passed, the first couple of runners returned for the final loop on the trail around the park. As the runners and walkers crossed the finish line throughout the morning and took time to catch their breath, they were treated to food, bottles of water, and plenty of hot cocoa! Prizes were given out to some of the participants for best times, and even an award for best costume! Congratulations to Jason Muermann who was the overall winner of the race.

After some time together drinking hot cocoa, eating food, and recapping the run, it was time to leave. As we escaped the chilly weather and returned to our warm homes, I thought about the homeless ministry that our run supported and the many who do not have a warm home waiting for them. Our brief discomfort is nothing compared to what some of them face every day this time of year. I pray that those struggling will find peace and know the love of Jesus this holiday season. 

Thank you to all of you for braving the cold to be a part of Jingle Run 2018 and supporting our cause. Looking forward to seeing all of you at Jingle Run 2019.

- Mike Ralph, Director of Communications and Youth  

To see more pictures from Jingle Run, check out our photo page here.