Trinity Together | May 2016

LEADERSHIP TEAM QUARTERLY REPORTS: THE FIRST OF MANY

BY NICOLE FLEMING, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Trinity has a long and rich history of vibrant ministry… 40 years long, in fact! As we celebrate the past 40 years, we do so also looking forward, pressing on in ministry. However, we have seen a need for clarification and bolstering of our ministry leadership structure to properly support each of our many ministries. To that end, we have identified the five main “departments” within our church: Worship, Spiritual Formation, Community + Care, Local Missions, and Global Missions. Each of the various ministries of Trinity fits inside one of these five areas (with the exception of the leadership/support areas that belong to the Session or Diaconate).

Over each department, we’ve worked to build a Leadership Team. Each of our five Leadership Teams is made up of two co-chairs (usually a staff person and a lay person) and a team of lay leaders who serve in three-year rotations.

The primary responsibilities of a Leadership Team are these: overseeing all of the ministry teams within their respective department, developing—with the ongoing input of the congregation—and executing both short-term and long-term ministry plans for their area, and reporting to the Session and the whole church on the progress of all ministry plans.

As you’ll recall, last fall our Session prayerfully determined the following to be Trinity’s collective five-year goal:

By 2020, Trinity Presbyterian Church will try to show, by demonstration in our lives and work, the existence of the Triune God in this secular age:

through the truth and beauty of biblical orthodoxy,

by the transformation of people’s lives through spiritual formation practices,

in the unity of a multi-ethnic and multi-generational community,

with a sacrificial commitment to local, national, and global mission,

and generosity to others with all we possess.

APRIL MEETING NOTES

The Session met twice in April. On April 14 after extended prayer, the Session reviewed Trinity’s annual statistical report, which is sent to our denominational headquarters. We also discussed hosting the next regional Presbytery meeting later in April.

DJ Carter was examined and approved to come under care of our Session as a candidate for pastoral ministry and recommended to the Presbytery. The ODMT sent results for the officer candidates theological exam, which was approved by the elders.

Then the Session went into a lengthy discussion about the pastoral transition and potential approaches for the next steps. The Transition Team was approved and that team will manage Session actions during the coming months of transition.

On April 28, the Session met to handle several items. Reports from Leadership Teams were reviewed, a slate of new members was approved, and the officer candidates completed their review and final examinations. They were approved to be sent to the congregation at the upcoming May 15 Congregational Meeting.

A process for non-ordained deacon assistants was presented and after lengthy debate, it was approved to open nominations for both ordained deacons and deacon assistants in May.

Again, the Session spend a long period discussing the pastoral transition. The Session received letters from Pastor Field to be released from his call to pursue a call with Redeemer NYC, and from Pastor Thompson to be released from his title of Senior Pastor to spend more time with New City Commons. Pastor Thompson will likely return as an assistant pastor, but the scope and terms have not yet been determined.

Next Meeting: Thursday, May 12 at 7:00pm

Questions? Email: session@trinitycville.org

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Session FAQ

Do you still have a question about our Session or CGC? Let us know by emailing session@trinitycville.org and we will address it in future issues of the Session update.

Eight men nominated as officers last fall are completing their time of training and prayerful consideration for this undertaking. The congregation vote to elect them on May 15. Click here to see each of their names and faces.

MEET ELDER JIM ANDERSON

Jim Anderson and his wife, Cindy, are each frequently around Trinity during the workweek, and things run more smoothly because they are. Jim has taken on leadership of the Transition Team to help cover management tasks for the church and to assist the Session and congregation through this period of changes in our pastoral and leadership staff. Cindy is the administrative assistant for the New City Counseling Center, helping the team with their operational tasks. They come by these roles naturally, having worked together in business for many years managing S4, a software development firm for supermarkets and fuel centers. Jim continues to work for S4, which is based in Nebraska.

After many years living in Nebraska, the Andersons moved to Charlottesville in 2005 to be near their first grandchild, one of six that would be born here in Charlottesville. Their daughter, Charis, and her husband moved to California a couple of years ago with their three children. However, their son Colin, his wife, Kim, and their three children still live nearby. Colin teaches math at the Covenant Upper School. Their eldest son, Jonathan, is a professor at Biola University in southern California.

Jim and Cindy have attended Trinity for 10 years. They are involved in a small group, and Jim has taught a number of adult education classes. Two years ago he was installed as a ruling elder and serves on the CGC and the Personnel Committee. When the Transition Team completes its tasks, Jim will return to being a shepherding and parish point elder. Jim likes to build things and collect books. He also serves on the boards of the Center for Christian Study and New City Counseling. Cindy’s free time interest revolves around her grandchildren.

When Jim speaks of the work of the Transition Team, he says simply that it is to bless the church and to work for its peace—a prayer that we all share for our church.

MEET DEACON BRIAN CULLATY

Brian Cullaty started attending Trinity as a UVA undergrad in the late 1990s, which is also when he met his wife, Martha. After graduation from UVA, Brian attended William & Mary for his master’s degree and then took a job at the University of Florida for four years, during which time he and Martha were married.

In 2005 the couple returned to Charlottesville so Brian could work on his PhD at the Curry School, and they both got involved at Trinity. After completing his doctorate Brian worked in the Provost’s Office and since 2013 he has served as the director of undergraduate research opportunities in the Center for Undergraduate Excellence. Martha completed her training to become a licensed physical therapist and now practices part time with UVA HealthSouth. They have two sons, Owen and Gabe, who are now eight and five.

Both Brian and Martha enjoy running and competing in any road race from a 5K to a marathon. Martha also enjoys coaching her son’s soccer team. Both teach Sunday School and support Children’s Ministry in other ways. Both have mentored Trinity Fellows, and Brian serves on the Fellows Ministry Team.

Brian was ordained as a deacon three years ago and has served as secretary of the Diaconate. He says he looks forward to becoming more involved with ministry to widows. Martha says her husband is the most loyal and consistent person she knows and sees these gifts as a help to our church during this period of transition.

 

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Sunday, May 15: Congregational Meeting, 4pm. We will vote on officer candidates and hear about transition plans and staff changes. Childcare will be provided for ages 0-10.

Wednesday, May 18: Fellows Closing Banquet, 5:30pm at Trinity.

Wednesday, May 25: Congregational Listening Session 1, 7:30-9pm. Register here.

Saturday, June 4: Congregational Listening Session 2, 10-11:30am. Register here.