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If you have not had an opportunity to contribute and/or pledge to Trinity English’s “Seeds of Faith” campaign, or if you would like to add to your gift, click here to learn more.

 

Members Share Their Perspective…

 

I have always felt that my gifts are increased when I am able to contribute at Trinity.  My time, talents and treasures sometimes find their way into ministries of which I am not even aware.  The Lord blesses my gifts, multiplies the benefit, and blesses me in ways that I never anticipate.

– Susan Pape

 

Even though I have only been a member of Trinity since 2004, I have had small connections to this church dating as far back as 1975 when I was a participant in a city-wide children’s choir festival hosted by Trinity.  That was the first time I had ever been in this church, and to say I was awed by its splendor is an understatement!  Since then, I’ve learned that Trinity’s splendor is not limited to its awesome structure, but, in fact, is even more evident in the people and opportunities found within the building’s walls. Trinity’s Thursday evening worship service has been a particular blessing to me.  Because I serve as a full-time Director of Music at another Fort Wayne church, I cannot often participate in Sunday morning worship at Trinity.  Despite this, the Thursday evening service provides me with the opportunity to participate in weekly worship at Trinity.  I am certain that each Trinity member finds such a blessing in other of the many opportunities and offerings at Trinity.

As a lifelong Christian, I learned early on that a church can grow and thrive only if each member commits to sharing their time, talent, and treasures within the faith community.  I have been privileged to share my “time” at Trinity as a worshipper and lector on Thursday evenings; as a member of the new hymnal committee; as a participant in Tuesday noon and evening study groups; and as a part of the associate musician search committee.  I have shared my “talents” as an occasional substitute organist; as a very “part-time” member of the Chancel Choir; as a substitute in the Trinity Ringers; and as a cookie baker and sandwich maker for the Fridays in May and September concerts. Finally, I have shared my “treasure” through financial contributions to the annual budget.

In less than a month, I, along with all Trinity members, will be privileged to take part in sharing our treasure further in support of our capital campaign. What a wonderful time this is in the life of Trinity Church!  Ever since the plans were unveiled last summer detailing our site improvements, the anticipation and excitement have been growing.  I think that any of us who regularly participate in activities in the building realize that Trinity is in dire need of these improvements and additions.  As the “countdown” continues toward making our commitments to the capital campaign on May 4, 2008, we must each prepare, discern and pray as we consider the financial sacrifice we will make in helping to make these plans become reality.  Let’s all do our part so that our church can continue to thrive and prosper and be a strong beacon for Christ in downtown Fort Wayne for years to come!

– Tim Robison

 

As we get older, the importance of leaving a legacy for Trinity’s future generations, as previous generations did for us, becomes more apparent.  I am a lifelong member of Trinity. When I was a child, Trinity’s west wing had not yet been built.

I can remember attending Sunday School Classes in crowded areas on the second floor on the east wing which now serve as the workroom and as storage space. At that time, the leaders of the congregation had the foresight and willingness to take on the challenge of adding to Trinity, the education wing and Krauss Memorial Chapel. This addition was their legacy to us.

In the same manner and spirit, we now have an opportunity to benefit the Trinity members who will follow us, and my wife Ruth and I look forward to doing so with joy and anticipation.

– Bill Borgmann

 

Unlike many members of Trinity, my wife, Jennie and I did not grow up in this church. We have been members for eight years but hope that, perhaps, this might someday be said of our children — Madisen and Grant. While our time at Trinity has been relatively short, this church has been an important part of our lives. There are several specific aspects that hold special significance to us.

As an architect, I have a deep appreciation for the building itself — the classic forms, timeless materials and attention to detail that are inter-woven into it. I am pleased that the design of the new expansion is sensitive to the character of the existing facility. It is also good to see it will become more accessible to members and enter the 21st century in terms of heating and air-conditioning systems. As I sit in the pew before a service, I can’t help but appreciate the vision and commitment made by the families that came long before my family that left us with such a rich heritage. Now I recognize that we, as a congregation, are being given an opportunity to continue this legacy for future generations that will follow us. 

But we didn’t join the church because of the architecture. We joined to be part of a body of believers who want to serve God and grow closer in their personal relationship with Him. At Trinity, Jennie and I have had opportunities to participate in classes, seminars and workshops that have helped us identify and build upon the unique gifts God has given us. We have also had opportunities to use these gifts to serve in a variety of roles within the church. We believe the upcoming capital campaign is another step in stewardship that God is using to build our faith and bring us closer to Him by sharing the blessings he has given to us.

The more we have been involved with the church, the more great people we have met and come to call as friends over these last eight years. We both agree, that this is where the real treasure lies within Trinity. We are thankful for so many of you and appreciate the support and encouragement you have given to us. We are excited that the expansion will provide further opportunities to build the sense of community within the church.

It doesn’t take long for a visitor to recognize the storied history of our church. I am thankful that the talk in the church these days is not merely about its past accomplishments, but about our future as well. Through our recent discernment process and development of our new mission statement, I believe God is preparing this congregation to be used by Him in new ways throughout our community. I hope each of you will join our family as we take this journey of faith to see what God has in store for us — as individual believers and as a congregation.

– Pat & Jennie Pasterick

 

We have been at Trinity for over 20 years and have been richly blessed as part of the Trinity family. We both have been involved in group activities at Trinity and especially enjoy participating in a wide variety of Bible classes through which our faith is continually nurtured.

Currently, we have children and grandchildren who are also actively involved in the Trinity family. Looking to the future, we realize that the proposed physical changes to Trinity are necessary to ensure that these future generations continue to enjoy the blessings of the Trinity faith community as we have over the past twenty years.

– Vince and Helen Muntzinger

 

God has richly blessed me throughout my seven years at Trinity English Lutheran Church. I am blessed by the magnificent edifice in which we praise and worship our even more magnificent God. I am blessed by the pure and powerful notes our musicians raise heavenward to God’s glory. I am blessed that as I sometimes walk through hours darker than I ever knew life could hold, God uses Trinity’s ministries to reveal to me the Gospel light, the light no darkness can overcome.

The Gospel light is revealed through the Pastors’ deep compassion and care as well as through the faithful and personal ministry of Trinity’s entire staff and membership. I am now blessed by Trinity’s “Seeds of Faith” campaign which offers me an opportunity to respond to these blessings and the many more I cannot begin to count or recount. The campaign allows me to make a fitting financial sacrifice to help ensure the continuation of both a physical structure and a faith community through which God’s priceless blessings will continue to flow to all God’s people.

– Ragna Urberg

 

Trinity serves as the cornerstone of our lives.  From our wedding, to the baptism of our three daughters, to weekly worship, Trinity has provided our family with many opportunities to grow in faith. Additionally, the church’s beauty and history have always captured our attention. We are now excited to be a part of a new chapter in the life of Trinity. The proposed building project will enhance Trinity’s ability to welcome everyone to grow in the love and grace of Jesus Christ, both by further enhancing the Church’s beauty with an inspirational exterior and by creating an interior gathering space and other improvements. We are thankful to all those who have worked so hard to develop this project.  
– Tom and Cari Hardin

 

Pastor Hasecke asked us to share our thoughts of our 59 years at Trinity and our thoughts about the new addition to Trinity.

Trinity has been the foundation of our lives for 59 years. Pastor Krauss married us in October of 1949. Our four children were baptized, attended Sunday school and three were married at Trinity.

We have had three wonderful senior pastors and many very good associate pastors over the years. The message of Jesus through our pastors has inspired us, comforted us and enabled us to have a wonderful life.

We are fortunate to have the beautiful church and wonderful educational wing to worship in and learn of Jesus’ message for us and our children. We are indebted to the early members for building such a wonderful working testimonial to God’s unending love for us all.

The new addition to Trinity is very exciting to us for several reasons. It will provide a beautiful and exciting view to those driving on Washington Blvd. of what a great testimonial Trinity is to the love of God; and to the revival of downtown Fort Wayne.  Others may be encouraged to visit Trinity and perhaps join us in our journey with Jesus.

The gathering area and the ease of going directly to different rooms without going through the main church will enable more activities for our members and our children to attend.
With the continuing rise of energy costs, the new modern heating and air conditioning systems could save as much as $30,000 annually, and we will be doing our part in the nationwide effort to conserve energy.

As members we remember all the blessings our family has received from God and Trinity over the years. We feel we must do our part to help finance the new addition in order to show God our deep appreciation for all His blessings and to keep and grow Trinity to be an even greater testimonial of Jesus’ love for future generations of Trinity members. We are stretching financially to do our share.

Thank you to all Trinity members — it is an honor for us to know you and join with you in following Jesus’ path.

– Don & Virginia Wolf