Trinity Presbyterian Church is excited to welcome acclaimed actor and director Tom Key for a special evening exploring the Book of Revelation through spoken and sung words. The performance of A Night of Revelation will be at 7 PM in the sanctuary, for a cost of $5 per person. Child care is available by reservation only. Please share with your congregation the news and join them for a wonderful event.

(3003 Howell Mill Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30327-1601)

 

"Go Fly a Kite...for God's Sake"

 

       I grew-up flying kites. Every March they showed-up like spring flowers at the local Morgan & Lindsey's Five & Dime. The paper ones were 15 cents. Plastic was a quarter; but the plastic kites were heavier and harder to fly.

       My sister and I would go with our father to Dr. Middleton's pasture on some spring Sunday afternoons. He, too, was a kite-flyer. However, the window of opportunity was small. We always had a "part on program" and needed to get back to church for Training Union.

       On windy days, a kite would stay-up for hours; and I would use every roll of string in the house. In retrospect, I wonder why a B-52 Bomber didn't run into one? These were the 60's and the planes did daily, low-level touch-and-goes from nearby Barksdale Air Force Base.

       Last week, I initiated my four year old grandson to the spiritual experience of kite flying. It was a rite of passage...for both of us.

       There wasn't much wind, but when it gusted, we needed more ballast. Rags torn from an old T-shirt were just right. We tied them on, then let go.

       It is magical to watch an object made of plastic and an old T-shirt leave your hands, then rise 200 feet into the air.

       Even more enchanting is that you are still connected. You hold its string while it tugs.

       Later, Sean will learn aerodynamics. He will learn about tension, weight, lift, and drag. He will learn that where the string is tied makes a difference---high on the bow for calm days, low for windy ones.

       He will learn that kites act like they want to be free of the string---but the string (the resistance) is as necessary to a kite's flight as the wind. Otherwise nearby tree-tops would soon claim them all.

       He will learn that you can run with a kite and get it flying for a while---but you can't run long and it won't fly long without the wind.

       He will learn that kite flying is a lot like prayer---praying that the kite will stay aloft and away from the power lines---but also it is a mystery. When Jesus encountered the spiritual passion and resistance of Nicodemus, he resorted to a simile. "The Spirit is like the wind," said he. "It blows as it wills. We can't see it, only what it touches."

       If the scriptures had not said that Nicodemus came to Jesus at night, I would have bet that Jesus was flying a kite while he talked.

       What a day! Sean and I ran out of string, even as the kite asked for more!

       I am like the kite, I resent my strings. They hold me back! Oh, how I could soar if I weren't responsible for this and that and these and those. And yet.... And yet, these "strings attached" are part of what makes life good and meaningful and...spiritual. What holds on to me also helps me fly.

       So, go do something spiritual before summer comes. Go fly a kite for God's sake!

 

 

Sunday, May 15, 2011, there will be a parent, child, and church dedication for Benjamin and Louisa Schleicher and their parents, Kristofer Schleicher and Karen Perry, during the 11AM worship service.

 

CONTINUING TO

PONDER THE POSSIBILITIES...

     The hymnal sub-committee of the Worship and Music Committee has spent much time in prayer, thought and deliberation since my last message to you. Each member is currently reviewing, one-by-one, the hymnals on our "short list" which was pared from a much more extensive list of hymnals for consideration.

     Before we could begin the review of individual hymnals, we had to establish the criteria against which each collection would be compared. To that end, we compiled the following lists of "Benchmarks" and "Secondary Priorities" which now form our "standard of measurement". We want to share this information with you.

     The "Benchmarks" are weighted in descending order of priority. The "Secondary Priorities" are in an un-weighted, random order.

 

BENCHMARKS

     (1) Our Heritage - the hymnal must reflect and be consistent with our Baptist heritage, our Church Covenant and our Church Mission Statement

     (2) Core Hymnody - the hymnal must contain the core hymns currently used in our worship

     (3) Liturgical Comprehensiveness - the hymnal must contain hymns and an organization that support our current, liturgical approach to worship

     (4) Breadth and Depth - the hymnal must give voice to our congregation's diversity and theology (i.e. a wide range of texts and tunes for a varied and urban congregation)

     (5) New Hymnody - the hymnal must contain new hymns of quality, substance (in both text and tune), as well as a variety of styles

     (6) Inclusive Texts and Tunes - the hymnal must contain hymns that are accurate in historic context, as well as contemporary works that incorporate inclusive language and music as regards gender, age, race and nationality.

 

SECONDARY PRIORITIES

    *Singability of chosen tunes and texts including mid-range keys, moderate melodic contours, etc.

    *Price, size, durability and choice of bindings

    *Large enough print to be easily read

    *Correlated musical materials including choral and accompanying editions, arrangements of hymns for choirs, organ, orchestra, handbells, small ensembles both instrumental and vocal

    *Litanies, scripture readings and general worship materials

    *Worship Planning materials and related computer programs

 

Irwin Ray, chair

Hymnal Sub-Committee 

An Invitation for Affirmation for WWII Veteran and Northside Driver, Don Hall 

 

     I am passing along the message below from Roger Hall, son of Don Hall.

     As you know Don and his wife Beverly are long time Northside Drivers. Due to health reasons several years ago, they were moved by their children to Florida to make it easier for the caretakers.

     Don's health is more fragile, and Beverly's is even more so.

     Roger is recruiting letters of affirmation for his dad regarding an upcoming veterans event. You will remember that Don was a Pearl Harbor survivor.

     I am sending a letter. I wanted you to know of this opportunity to "minister to Don from afar," as well.

     Please pass this along to any who might like to offer an affirmation to Don in this way.

 

James Lamkin

 

From: Roger Hall [mailto:rhall1278@cfl.rr.com]

Subject: East Central Florida Honor Flight for Donald F. Hall Jr.

 

     My Dad, Donald F. Hall Jr., and I are preparing to take June 11 and be a part of the Honor Flight to Washington, D. C. for the day. As part of the ceremonies at the end of the day Honor Flight (and me) are asking you to write a note or letter of encouragement and appreciation for Dad for his service to his country in both WWII and the Korean War. Dad was an original member of the Army's 25th Infantry located at Schofield Barracks on Oahu, Hawaii when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Dad's base was one of the first to be attacked as the Japanese planes flew overhead towards Wheeler Air Field before hitting Pearl Harbor. Dad served in Europe for the Korean War. It will mean so much to Dad to hear from our family and friends at the end of the day. If you can do this the notes or letters must arrive by May 25 and mailed to Donald F. Hall Jr. in care of East Central Florida Honor Flight at the following address:

 

East Central Florida Honor Flight

PO Box 560975

Rockledge, FL 32956

888-750-2522

 

     I would also like to direct you to their website so that you can get a better feel for this local chapter of the national organization. If you feel led, please make a donation to help cover the cost of these flights by our veterans. They are charged nothing to go on these trips.

 

http://www.honorflightecfl.org/

 

Roger Hall

 

The Adult Education Ministry Team is looking for volunteers who would be willing to organize, catalog and describe the educational materials that we have accumulated in the Art and Soul classroom (and maybe in other places). These materials include: books, hymnals, DVDs, CDs. We have some rich resources, but they are not widely known and therefore are not being used by our church school. If you are interested in helping with this task, please contact Ruth Kramedjian at 404-210-9790 or rrpk2@yahoo.com.

Summer Adult Church School 

Introduction to Major World Religions

 

June 5-August 28, 2011

Sundays, 9:30-10:45 AM

In the Fellowship Hall

 

Mike Gregg and Zach Bay will introduce the series with a session entitled Ways of Encountering the Divine and close the series with Religion and the Future of Humanity. Several adult leaders will facilitate the other 10 sessions, which will include Islam, Shi'tes/Sunni, the Koran, Roman Catholicism, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, Church of Scientology, and Christian Fundamentalism.

     Through the Missions Committee, there is a designated account that collects money for the Hunger Fund. In the past most of our collections have come from very successful Souper Bowl Sunday events. With a collection of over $3,000 that has accumulated, the committee voted to spend the following to relieve hunger locally and globally: