A dedicated group of talented men in work clothes quietly gather at Trinity on the third Thursday morning of each month. They come to do the maintenance and refurbishing tasks involved in keeping the building and grounds neat and functioning properly.

The men would reject any characterization of their being quiet as they gather, but will admit to low key greetings and sharing of small talk while awaiting work list assignments for the day. The list of non-emergency work needing to be done has been accumulated by Pastor Brad during the preceding month. It is always varied, chiefly in response to seasons and to repair/refurbishing needs occasioned by use of the church by its 500 members and friends. The highlight is when Brad reads off the morning list and men volunteer for teams to tackle the projects at hand.

Most comforting is the breadth of practical experience afforded by the group and their generosity in sharing it to meet the needs of Trinity. Practical know-how has been accumulated in a wide range of fields including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, mechanics, dry- walling, painting and landscaping. They even do windows! This is an extraordinary resource that materializes not merely for the performance of tasks but for the fellowship inherent in individuals working together and experiencing the satisfaction of putting their faith into practice.

Over the course of a year, this group saves the church thousands of dollars. One example is a recent plumbing repair. The estimate from a professional plumber was $650. The group was able to accomplish the repair at a cost of $125.

Any recounting would be incomplete without mention of noontime brown-bagging and the enjoyable sharing of small talk. The range of ages and backgrounds makes conversation lively and enlightening with everyone joining in and contributing.

There are always openings for new members and volunteers at all levels of experience are welcome.

A daily devotion! With my hectic life, who has time for a daily devotion?

On the other hand, given the times in which we live and our hectic lives, who can afford not to take time for a daily devotion? To connect with God, to deepen one's faith, to seek wisdom, to gain understanding, to ask for forgiveness. There are a number of good daily devotional books available. The Upper Room and Disciplines published by Upper Room Books are two particularly good ones. I am most familiar with Disciplines because I use it, as do some others in our congregation. Disciplines uses the Common Lectionary as its scriptural basis with each week being written by a different person. Spending devotional time with the same person for a week is revealing and also often inspiring.

Since Brad usually employs the Common Lectionary as the scriptural source for his sermons, it is also a good preview for Sunday morning.

Still not convinced? Consider the following Scripture selections from the last 18 months of the Lectionary.

Paul wrote: For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. (I Cor. 1:18, 22-25).

Or, Your word is a lamp to my feet and light for my path. (Ps. 119:105) Wow!

If you would like to see a copy of Disciplines to consider using yourself, let me know!

Just about a year ago, new members Chris and Jenna Dean-Thiebault joined the staff of Trinity as part- time young adult mission ministry associates. Chris and Jenna have had a busy year getting this ministry off the ground.

Chris and Jenna started with contacting Trinity's college-age and young adult members to begin a process of keeping in touch and developing activities with a mission focus. One of their first activities was collecting school supplies for the Claymont Boys and Girls Club. Many backpacks were filled and a note attached. Last fall, a small group led by Chris and Jenna participated in Harvest of Hope in Virginia. During this weekend experience, participants gleaned apples from fields already harvested and learned more about world hunger issues. The young adults also served lunch at Emmanuel Dining Room and are working on an outreach event at the Sunday Breakfast Mission.

Chris and Jenna are working on the development of the new Sunday evening alternative worship service and other activities for 2010, including the Habitat for Humanity framing event taking place in Trinity's parking lot on June 12.

Get to know Chris and Jenna if you haven't already and help support their growing ministry.