volume 18, issue 1 overall trinity on solid ground january 2018 · 2019. 2. 2. · overall trinity...

Advent Review 3-4

Advent Activities 5

Calendar 6-7

Missions 8

WOW Returns 9

UMW 10

Birthdays/Anniversaries 11

Obits 11

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Volume 18, Issue 1

January 2018

8:45 a.m. Announcements

9 a.m. Worship Service

9:15 a.m. Children’s Sunday School

10:15 a.m. Youth Class

10:30 a.m. Adult Bible Class

12:00 p.m. Tongan worship

12:00 p.m. Korean Worship

Childcare is provided all morning.

See photos of events at church website

Fall Sunday Schedule

Overall Trinity on Solid Ground

Inside This Issue

Continued… page 2

Rev. Khalif Smith at cantata worship

By Dan Sahagun

The Word

Despite church leaders having

to call a special Church Council

meeting at the end of the year, Rev.

Khalif Smith remains confident of

the mission moving forward for

Trinity United Methodist Church.

On Dec. 14, leaders were given

the task of deciding how to pro-

ceed with the short-term dilemma

of facing a $32,000 deficit from the

previous 11 months.

Outgoing Finance chair Roger

Unger explained at the Church

Council meeting that because of

unexpected expenses incurred dur-

ing 2017, the church had to borrow

$32,000 from its restricted funds.

The challenge would be to

agree how to pay back the funds.

After much discussion, the Church

Council agreed on a solution of

withdrawing the funds from a

$100,000 investment account. The

account will be gradually paid back

from future anticipated revenue.

How did this situation come to

this point? Is the church in danger

of closing its doors? Has this short-

fall undone what Trinity has accom-

plished in 2017, especially with its

outreach to the Las Vegas commu-

nity? Absolutely not on the latter

two points.

This situation, though unset-

tling, is not that rare in light of the

bigger picture. Retired Rev. Larry

Gerber, who is a former senior pas-

tor at Trinity, officiated at the

Church Council meeting. He re-

members his introduction when

arriving from Arizona as senior

pastor at Trinity in 1982.

“I was told I would be coming to

a friendly, growing church and it

was. Unfortunately, they didn’t tell

me they were $30,000 in the hole.

Ultimately, we were able to pay it

all back,” said the white-haired pas-

tor on his way to the parking lot

after the meeting.

Rev. Smith was more optimistic

about the situation. He is in his

fourth year as senior pastor. He

expects through areas such as

fundraising and additional pro-

THE W ORD

State of Trinity Continued from… page 1

Carol Bumgarner directs a combined choir during the 15th Annual cantata with an orchestra and narrators.

Continued… page 12

“There is money coming in,

we’re not a sinking ship, we’re

not going to die but the decision

to use our savings is a difficult

one. Many of our congregation

are older having grown up in an

era when you save for a rainy day.

You put away and you make sure

you have stored so in the time of

crisis you have the ability to get

yourself out,” he said.

“It’s important for us to un-

derstand that we are in a real, real

good financial situation. We are

not in a hole or behind. Have we

experienced cash flow difficulties?

Absolutely. (But) We’re sitting

pretty well. I believe we’ll be able

to recover fine. I believe 2018 is a

year we’ll be positively affected in

the finance area.”

The former Georgia pastor

downplays the deficit.

“Again, I think many of the

people within our congregation

don’t understand church finance

in the ways that it works over the

course of a year. Many on our

committees have an understand-

ing because they’ve been in a fi-

nance meeting or a (Board of)

Trustees meeting and they under-

stand the cycles a church goes

jected revenue, this deficit can be

paid back in the next year. Which

doesn’t dampen his optimism for

2018.

“I don’t really focus on the nega-

tive, I always focus on the positive

to serve Christ in the community

and how we grow as a faith commu-

nity in vitality and hope,” he ex-

plained.

Unexpected expenses are sim-

ply something to be expected for an

aging campus. Some of the original

structures are nearly 55 years old.

“This year was especially stress-

ful because we have done a lot of

maintenance on the campus. Main-

tenance costs money. When you

have to repair air condition units,

fixing up rooms, repairing toilets

and sinks and plumbing. We’ve had

two pretty heavy hits (repairs). One

was a parking lot issue where

plumbing had to be repaired. We’ve

replaced three air condition units.

All that physical maintenance re-

quires a little bit more money,” said

the provisional Elder.

While the church had to dip into

its savings, much like a person

would have to do to upkeep their

home, the financial situation is not

as dire.

through,” Rev. Smith said.

“Those who have not partici-

pated in those meetings may not

have an understanding that in the

summer months our cash flow

decreases but for some reason we

don’t see as high as cash flows.”

Low and high cash flows ap-

parently has been a way of live for

churches.

The pastor said, “At the end of

the year and the beginning of the

year is when we see a peak in giv-

ing, we have more cash on hand

so there is this up-and-down cycle

that a church goes through, par-

ticularly goes through. This is a

pattern that has repeated itself

year after year after year.”

The solution?

“The things we are doing to

try to curtail that to help that

situation is to add new members,

diversity our revenue streams,

look at ways to raise new money

to give people more access to giv-

ing such as electronic funds giv-

ing (on the church website) that

we are exploring right now to

help remedy those types of situa-

tions from happening.”

VOLUME 18, I SSUE 1

Advent in Review

Advent has come and gone but the spirit experienced

during the last month figures to carry over well into the

new year as Trinity UMC continues its mission of spreading

the love of Christ throughout the Las Vegas community.

Members of Trinity United Methodist celebrated the

light of the birth of the Lord throughout December in a

grand way through worship during the four weeks of Ad-

vent; the 15th

annual Christmas cantata, “Hope!,” per-

formed at two services; the 37th

annual Living Nativity

staged in the Sanctuary and also performed at Las Vegas

Motor Speedway; Christmas Eve worship services which

included for the first Christmas the Tongan choir and the

Praise Ensemble led by Music Director Linda Mazo; and the

Angel Tree ministry, which served children from nearby

Hancock Elementary School and other needy families.

Cantata

HeartStrings Multigenerational Choir Director Carol

Bumgarner chose the cantata by composer Joel Raney for

the second time and utilized the voices of the HeartStrings

and the Chancel Choir, Trinity’s adult group, along with

narration and a professional band of artists from the Las

Vegas community to tell of a gospel Christmas celebration

in music and story.

Traditional and favorite Christmas songs were per-

formed during the Dec. 17 event, including a beautiful solo

by Linda Mazo, who sang despite battling a cold, as all en-

joyed the beautifully decorated Sanctuary.

Trinity Chancel Choir performers included Linda Mazo,

Bob Beasley, Sumi Joachim, Richard Jost, Sally Jost, James

Lemmons, Jelin Mazo, Cathy Morgan, Emeline Savou, Ofa

Savou, Sione Savou and Lois Shivers-Wynn.

HeartStrings singers performing included Beth Britt,

Curtis Britt, Montana Britt, Alyssa Ferrari, Emma Hinkson,

James Lemmons, Lorene Lorenzen, Alex Morgan, Sarah

Morgan, Cathy Morgan, Autumn Phelps, Helen Rounds, Ofa

Savou, Sione Savou, Sarah Watson Swan, Caleb Swan and

Scott Watson. Sharon Watson served as accompanist.

Among the orchestra included Alan Lewis on bassoon/

alto saxophone and Doug Beasley on keyboard. The com-

bined choir greatly appreciated the expertise offered by

Doug Beasley in preparing for the cantata.

Narrators were Christy Ferrari and Darlene Goldstein

and sound and technology technicians for the services

were Steve Goldstein, Tony Wynn, and Richard French.

Living Nativity

Gillian Kabat and a busload of performers from Trinity

and the Centennial High School JROTC cadets braved cool

temperatures to participate in a Nativity scene at the

famed Las Vegas Speedway as part of the Glittering Lights

display.

For the fourth year, Trinity was among several Desert

Southwest Conference North District churches

to portray the Christ birth. Gillian directed two

casts at the Nov. 30 event.

The former Las Vegas dancer and actress

also directed the church’s annual Living Nativity

Continued… page 4

Soloist Linda Mazo performs during cantata.

Sarah Morgan (left) and Lois Shivers-Wynn.

Narrators Helen Rounds (left) and Lorene Lorenzen.

Advent Review

held in the Sanctuary on Dec. 13.

Afterwards, Gillian said about the longevity of the play,

“It’s never been a chore, it’s been a mission. I like working

with the children being in show business and a teacher.”

Sarah Watson Swan, who has played various roles in the

past 15 pageants, and Caleb Swan played Mary and Joseph,

respectively. The two are recent newlyweds. An infant from

one of the members of the Tongan community portrayed

the newborn child.

Other adult roles were filled by Sean Sheehan, James

Lemmons, Asti White, Jerry Magner, Bob Beasley and Ofa

Savou. Many of the children of the church, including from

the Tongan families, were also part of the cast.

In addition, Linda Leonard assisted the production with

wardrobe along with Amanda Ford.

Angel Tree

Over 200 needy children from the community had a

brighter holiday as the Trinity family went all out and do-

nated money and brought in Christmas gifts for distribu-

tion. Gift tags for Christmas gifts were attached to the An-

gel Tree during Advent for those wanting to participate.

People also had the opportunity to submit a request of

gifts for their children.

Nikki Smith and Donna Zbierski coordinated this yearly

mission as volunteers wrapped the gifts for parents to pick

up on Dec. 16. Nikki ensured appropriate-age gifts were

being distributed and parents were able to review selected

gifts for their children prior to them being wrapped by

adults and volunteers. Volunteer wrappers included cadets

from Centennial High School’s JROTC. Maria Young pro-

vided translating for Hispanic parents.

The church also provided a craft room staffed with vol-

unteers to keep this project a surprise if parents came with

their children.

Hanging of the Greens

Over 25 adult and youth volun-

teers unpacked upwards of 35 con-

tainers of decorations to

dress up the Sanctuary and

classrooms for Advent. The

worship area was also lined

with red poinsettia plants.

The five-hour Dec. 2

event included fellowship

among all of the volunteers

with holiday music filling up

the entire Sanctuary. Two

decorated trees were set up

on both sides of the altar,

including a Chrismon, along

with an Angel Tree filled

with tags requesting gifts.

Continued from… page 3

Above,

Sarah and

Caleb

Swan get

ready for

start of

the 37th

Living

Nativity

held in

Sanctuary.

Below is

the entire

cast.

THE W ORD

VOLUME 18, I SSUE 1

Other Advent Activities

December was a busy time as adult and youth volun-

teered to wrap the gifts given to deserving clients of the

Angel Tree ministry. At left, Nikki Smith is over-

whelmed by the amount of gifts awaiting to be wrapped.

Below at left Mike Whitten (in cap) is shown with one of

the families. Above, Tony Hobbs prepares to hang decora-

tions in the Sanctuary during the Hanging of the

Greens. Below at right, Yvonne Gaines and Linda Leo-

nard get their table ready for a Christmas Fair for last-

second shoppers in the Fellowship Hall.

Facebook - "DSCUMC" “Trinity United Methodist Church Las Vegas”

PAGE 6 THE W ORD

Legend:

ESL = English as a Second

Language

HSE = High School Equivalency

O.A. = Overeaters Anonymous

N.A. = Narcotics Anonymous

TOPS = Take off Pounds Sensibly

FH = Fellowship Hall

MR = Music Room

S = Sanctuary

1 Church Office Closed

Have a

Happy & Blessed

New Year!

2

2–4 pm Blessing Bag Lunches

5 pm Korean UMC, Chapel

5:15 pm N.A., Room 9

7 pm Tongan Worship, Chapel

3

4 – 6 pm Soc. St. Stephen,

Potter’s Place

7

8:45 am Announcements

9 am Worship Service

9:15 am Children’s Sunday

School, Rm 9

10:15 am, Youth Ministry, Rm 10

12 pm LV Korean, Sanctuary

8

10 am - 2 pm Society of St.

Stephen, Potter’s Place

7 pm OA / Monday, Room 9

9





10

10 am UMW Board, Rm 3


Potter’s Place

5:30 - 8 pm WOW Wed.

Café, Sanctuary

14




School, Rm 9


10:30 am Bible class, Rm 7


12:30 pm Missions, Rm 4


Martin Luther King, Jr.

Holiday

16




6 pm Trustees, Rm 4


7 pm Welcoming Team, Rm 3

17


Potter’s Place


Café, Sanctuary

21




School, Rm 9




22




5 pm Finance, FH “A”

23




5:30 pm Caring Min., Rm 3


24


Potter’s Place


Café, Sanctuary

28




School, Rm 9




1 pm Church Council, FH “A”

29

9 am CSN-ESL, Rm 4, 5, 6, “C”




30

9 am CSN-ESL, Rm 4, 5, 6, “C”





31

9 am CSN-ESL, Rm 4, 5,

6, “C”


Potter’s Place

5:30—8 pm WOW Wed., S

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

January

http://www.facebook.com/dscumc

VOLUME 18, I SSUE 1 PAGE 7

4

11 am - 1 pm

Food Rescue Program

6:15 pm TOPS, Room 9

7 pm Adult Choir, MR


12 pm Crafters for Christ,

Room 7

7 pm Korean Choir Practice,

Chapel


6 am Korean Prayer Time,

Sanctuary

2 pm Funeral Service for

Matt Azhikakath

followed by reception

11

11 am - 1 pm

Food Rescue Program





Room 7


Chapel



Sanctuary

18

11 am - 1 pm

Food Rescue Program





Room 7


Chapel



Sanctuary

25

11 am - 1 pm

Food Rescue Program





Room 7


Chapel



Sanctuary

8:30 am Men’s Fellowship, Cafe

2018

Sunday Worship

8:45 am

Announcements

9 am

Worship Service

9:15 am, Sunday School

for Kindergarten through

5th grade in Room 9.

10:15 am, Youth class, for

grades 6 to 12th,

in Room 10.

Childcare for toddlers up

to 4 years in Room 8 all

morning.

Please pray for the

following UM pastors,

their congregations and

communities throughout

the month of January:

Needles Ministry

Needles, AZ

Pastor Gene Stouffer

Boulder City UMC

Boulder City, NV

Rev. Sandy Johnson

Hope UMC

Bullhead City, AZ

Pastor Robin Lee

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Read the latest church news at: http://www.tumclv.com/

Connect with North District office at

http://dscumc.org/districts/north/ OR http://dscumc.org/north/ and subscribe for the latest news.

Connect with Desert Connection

The Desert Southwest Conference’s “The Desert Connection” is available at both

http://desertsouthwestconference.org/desertconnection and at

http://desertconnection.org (web site version).

TUMC website free phone app

http://www.tumclv.org/

http://dscumc.org/districts/north/

http://dscumc.org/north/

http://desertsouthwestconference.org/desertconnection

http://desertconnection.org

THE W ORD

Missions – Looking Back & Forward

Editor: We would like to thank

Bob and Pat Williams for their sup-

port of the church and in leading

the Missions ministry. They will be

missed and we wish them well in

their new adventure.

In 2017, thanks to TUMC

members who contributed well

over $1,000 to UMCOR, $211

to Africa University Scholar-

ships, $100 to Fairfield Chil-

dren’s Homes, and $470 to

support Axel Gomez Infa, the

Peruvian child sponsored by

the church.

Much more was given di-

rectly to other recommended

mission projects. Mission edu-

cation was provided through

The WORD newsletter, the bul-

letin board, Narthex displays,

and other activities, including

sponsoring the National Day of

Prayer, promotion of Peace

with Justice programs, and ob-

servance of Mission Sunday in

September with Dr. Marion Bell

speaking about Africa Univer-

sity.

Bob and Pat Williams are

moving to Bakersfield, Calif.,

late in January to be closer to

family, so a new Mission Coor-

dinator will be needed. There

will be a Missions meeting

Sunday, Jan. 14 at 12:30 p.m.

(right after adult class), in the

Library, Room 4. Everyone in-

terested in Missions is invited.

In 2018, proposed activi-

ties include:

Ash Wednesday Pancake

Supper on Feb. 14. The

goal for this event is to

fund Axel’s sponsorship for

one year.

UMCOR Sunday with offer-

ing on March 11 to support

Disaster Relief. Also see the

Bulletin Board and Narthex

for advance projects. Hurri-

cane relief is still badly

needed.

World and/or National Day

of Prayer of observance in

April or May.

Peace with Justice emphasis

in June with special offering

June 3.

Mission Sunday observance

with speaker in September.

Offering alternative Christ-

mas giving suggestions the

first three Sundays of Ad-

vent.

Conduct a Mission Work

Week at the UMCOR Depot

in Salt Lake City, Utah. Con-

tact Jerry and Jo Ann Mag-

ner for more information.

Continue to provide infor-

mation on Mission opportu-

nities.

Let's make 2018 a great

year for TUMC and for our Mis-

sion Outreach!

Bob Williams, TUMC Mission

Coordinator

E-mail address is:

[email protected]

or call 702-489-9241.

Charter members Doug and Greta Medberry re-

cently celebrated their 60th wedding anniver-

sary with refreshments in Café Trinity.

Fellowshipping at Trinity’s annual Thanksgiving dinner are

(from left) Mike Whitten, Pat and Bob Williams, Rhonda Miller,

Donna Zbierski and Lorene Lorenzen.

mailto:[email protected]

VOLUME 18, I SSUE 1 PAGE 9

New Christian Education Director

Donna Zbierski, who became

Trinity UMC’s office manager in

March 2017, has been named

by Rev. Khalif Smith as the

church’s new Director of Chris-

tian Education.

She will continue to also

serve as the church’s day-to-day

operations manager as well as

being responsible for the devel-

opment of the Education pro-

gram, which includes such areas

as the nursery, Sunday school

children’s classes, the Vacation

Bible School summer program,

Spring Break Camp, Easter Egg

Hunt, Spring Fling, Trunk or

Treat, the Angel Tree minis-

try, Bible studies on Wednes-

day evenings, and many

more events taking place on

campus.

The Education position

under Donna actually back-

dates to November 2017

when Ericka Grimm-Campf

resigned from the position to

spend more time with her

family. Since that time,

Donna has been ensuring the

Sunday school program, in-

cluding the securing of vol-

unteer teachers, and all fac-

ets of the Education depart-

ment are being realized.

Mike Ford, who joined

Trinity in September along

with his wife Amanda and

sons Hunter and Austin,

serves as the church’s Youth

Director and will continue to

plan activities and the cur-

riculum of the Youth program

in 2018 with Rev. Smith.

If you have any questions

about the Education depart-

ment, Donna can be reached

in the church office Monday

to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4

p.m. at 702-870-4747.

WOW Series Continues

Rev. Khalif Smith has an-

nounced the midweek worship

program WOW Wednesday will

continue on Jan. 10. The Bible

class will be a continuation of

the “Covenant Bible Study —

Creating, Living and Trusting”

series.

The first course study used

the “Creating the Covenant”

book and accompanying DVD

supplemental video. The next

series in a continuous course

of insightful religious study

will be using the “Living the

Covenant” book and will

cover such topics as faithful

love, leadership, discern-

ment and doing the right

thing. The cost of the book

is $10 and will be available

in the church office or the

first class session.

If you thought the first

series was interesting, you

will want to participate. It

will charge your spiritual

muscles and get you ready

for Wonderful Wednesday,

which follows in February

Emmaus Elects Board

Six new board members were announced at the Southern Nevada Walk to Emmaus annual

Christmas party and meeting held at the Boulder City Senior Center.

At the Dec. 2 event before the luncheon began, incoming unanimously elected board mem-

bers serving a three-year term included Joe Vescio of Advent UMC; Dave Vandamark of Green

Valley UMC; Jeff Redman of University UMC; Bob Andrews of Desert Spring UMC; Phyllis Murray

of Desert Spring; Ida Hansen of Boulder City UMC; and Robyn Mayer, who will head the Spiritual

team.

New members will know their responsibilities serving on the board at the next executive

board meeting on Saturday, Jan. 6.

Board members continuing on the board to complete their three-year term are

Beth Hardouin; Kelly Moshman, who will be leading the Community Lay Director position;

Cheryl Marsh; pastors Ida Easley and Sandy Johnson of the Spiritual team; Trinity UMC’s June

Deley, secretary; Kathy Beall; Trinity’s Sherri French, praying team; and Gordon Hammond.

For additional information, the Emmaus organization can be reached at Facebook, by e-mail

at [email protected], or at its web site at http://www.snwec.org.

under the direction of facili-

tator Carol Bumgarner.

Dinner with a $5 dona-

tion being requested to

cover expenses will be

served at 5:30 p.m. in Café

Trinity, the Bible study with

Rev. Smith will be from 6:30

to 7:30 p.m. in the Fellow-

ship Hall and praise and

singing in the Sanctuary led

by Music Director Linda

Mazo and a revamped Praise

Band will close out the eve-

ning starting at 7:30.


http://www.snwec.org

THE W ORD

UMW Parties, Elects Board

Trinity’s United Method-

ist Women gathered in the

Fellowship Hall for their an-

nual Christmas Party.

The Dec. 13 event

wrapped up the activities for

the year with a delicious

brunch of egg casseroles,

apple French toast bake,

croissants, mini-muffins,

fruit salad, mixed fruits and

cheese and crackers enjoyed

by 21 women of the church.

The meeting was called to

order by President Donna Can-

field. The group decided from

their Mission Giving to donate

to three areas of the church:

$200 to the Society

of St. Stephen minis-

try, $200 to the

church’s revamped

Youth Group led by

Mike Ford and $200

to the Pastor’s Dis-

cretionary Fund.

Officers were

elected for the 2018

term: President

Donna Canfield, Vice

President-Alene

Unger, Secretary

Donna Zbierski,

Treasurer Jo Ann

Magner and Commit-

tee on Nominations

Darlene Gold-

stein and Ema

Herbert.

After the

business

meeting, the

ladies enjoyed

a wonderful

Christmas Gift

Exchange

while listening

to a reading

by Ema Her-

bert.

UMW is

open to all

women of the

church. The

2018 calendar

of events will

be available af-

ter the start of

the New Year.

The cabinet will

have an Execu-

tive Board

meeting on

Wednesday,

Jan. 10 at 10

a.m. in Room 3.

VOLUME 18, I SSUE 1

Birthdays

Wiley Thomas 1/01

Arnett Cooper 1/03

Hunter Ford 1/04

Tony Koffi Zotchi 1/04

Deborah Zotchi 1/04

Eun Lau 1/05

Alan Lewis 1/10

Tom Deley 1/11

David Dunn 1/11

Kirstey Thomas 1/11

Larry Canfield 1/12

Nikki Smith 1/12

Jennifer Kabat Bartlett

& Ben Bartlett 1/16/2010

Jerry & Linda Mazo 1/19/1989

Tim & Barbara Cegavske 1/26/1980

Jerry Magner 1/13

Jean Schultz 1/14

Samantha Rounds 1/18

Frances Bower 1/19

Dan Sahagun 1/22

Amber Thacker 1/23

Frank Spencer 1/25

Carol Bumgarner Lewis 1/26

Jerry Mazo 1/27

Elaine Bickford 1/29

Adam Cegavske 1/31

Anniversaries

All information was obtained from indi-

vidual members. If we've missed your

birthday or anniversary, we apologize for

the omission. To ensure accuracy, please

call the church office with your update or

write the information on the worship pad

on Sunday. Thank you.

In Remembrance

Betty Jane Billingham, a for-

mer preschool teacher at Trinity

United Methodist School’s Chris-

tian school for several years and

a church member with her hus-

band Ed, passed away on Nov.

30, 2017 at the age of 81 at The

Wentworth of Las Vegas, an as-

sisted living and memory care

center.

The former Betty Jane Black

was born in Sept. 6, 1936 to

Beulah and Robert Black in

Lebanon, Pa. Betsy was gradu-

ated from Lebanon High

School in 1954 and from

Marion, Va., College in 1957.

In the 1950s, she taught

violin and played in the

Greenville, Pa., Community

Symphony Orchestra from

1962 to 1965. She married Ed-

ward J. Billingham, Jr., on June

8, 1958 and they moved to

State College, Pa., where she

was a food tester at Penn State

University and her husband Ed

graduated from the university.

The couple lived in

Greenville, Pa., from 1960 until

May 1965 when they moved to

Las Vegas while she taught at

the Trinity UMC school, while

Ed taught college classes at

UNLV. They enjoyed traveling

and motorcycling throughout

the U.S. and had great affec-

tion for their pet cats.

Both were very active at the

Howard Lieburn Senior Center

since it opened in Las Vegas in

2003. Along with husband Ed,

she is survived by her sister

Barbara Shirk of Holland, Pa.,

and nieces Elizabeth, Debra

and Martha.

Betty was interned at Davis

Memorial Park in Las Vegas.

There was no service.

Betty Jane (Betsy) Billingham

Mathews Azhikakath

Family and friends will

celebrate the life of Mathews

M. Azhikakath at his home

church, Trinity United Method-

ist Church, on Saturday, Jan. 6

at 2 p.m. He died Nov. 22,

Matt Azhikakath

Continued… page 12

The WORD Staff

The publication The Word is published monthly by Trinity United Methodist Church for its congregation,

families and neighbors. Submissions are welcome and can be submitted to the church office or electroni-

cally at [email protected] by the 10th

of the month, unless otherwise noted.

Bulletin information should be emailed to [email protected]

Staff members and volunteers:

Rev. Khalif Smith — [email protected]

Donna Zbierski, Staff — [email protected]

Dan Sahagun, Editor — [email protected]

Richard French, Staff — [email protected]

Newsletter Deadline Policy

This newsletter is by you and about you, the family of Trinity. If you have an event planned, or if your event

has been held, please share it through The WORD. The publishers and editor produce the newsletter

… but it is your articles we want to produce. We also reserve the right to use all or part of your submissions.

2017 in Phoenix, Ariz.

Rev. Larry Gerber, retired

minister and former Trinity

senior pastor, will officiate at

the service. The church’s UMW

will provide refreshments in

the Fellowship Hall following

the service.

Matt, who was born May

14, 1938 in India to Ann and

Mammen of Chengannur, Ker-

ala, was educated in England

at Harrow and Oxford universi-

ties and worked around the

world before immigrating to

the United States in 1961 and

becoming a U.S. citizen four

years later. While in Seattle, he

received a Nuclear Engineering

degree from University of

Washington. Upon graduation

he worked as an engineer for

Boeing. He then briefly worked

at the Nuclear Test Site in Rich-

land, Wash.

In 1971 he accepted a job

at the Nuclear Test Site in

Southern Nevada, where he

worked until his retirement in

1995 as the Manager of the

Engineering Department at

U.S. government contractor

Reynolds Electrical and Engi-

neering (REECO).

His entire life, Matt was a

faithful Christian. He was al-

ways involved at his church in

India and England, at First

UMC in Seattle and at Trinity

UMC. He served in many lead-

ership roles, as well as partici-

pated in numerous Bible stud-

ies and small groups.

He also served as a con-

In Remembrance

Read the newsletter on-line at http://www.tumclv.com/

sultant to launch the National

Atomic Testing Museum in

Las Vegas.

Matt married his wife,

Connie, in 1965 and they

raised two children together.

Matt is welcomed in the after-

life by his wife, his parents

and his siblings Susan

Varghese and Cheryian Azhi-

kakath who all preceded him

in death. His life is remem-

bered and survived by his two

daughters, Debbie Azhi-

kakath-Gilbert of Reno, NV,

and Dee Dee Lombardi of

Phoenix, Ariz., his two grand-

daughters, and nieces and

nephews both in the U.S. and

in India.

Donations can be made to

Trinity UMC.

Continued from… page 11

Trinity Continued from… page 2

The financial picture at Trinity is actually positive overall.

“Overall the health of our finances is much healthier than we’ve done in the past. Basically right now our

last finance meeting report came out saying we are operating $23,000 under our budget from the beginning

of the year,” he explained.

Three paid staff positions were eliminated during the year. The janitorial and maintenance positions

were consolidated. The new hire of the one new position was let go. Then the Christian Director of Educa-

tion position became vacant late in the year.

“We are $40,000 operating less than our budget in staff compensation salaries we usually pay through-

out the year. So we’re close to $65,000 under of what we actually spent last year. That same finance report

also reflected an increase of $15,000 from over our budget in maintenance.” said Rev. Smith.

The special meeting was part of the concluding Church/Charge Conference in which church leaders ap-

proved the pastor’s compensation package for 2018.



volume 18, issue 1 overall trinity on solid ground january 2018 · 2019. 2. 2. · overall trinity...

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