Dear Friends,

On July 25 our Church Council and I sat down to read the tallies of responses to the US Congregational survey that compares us to other UCC congregations and all our nation’s churches. The wonderful news is that we are in the top percentile for

• good match between pastor and people – exceptionally high
• financial and personal commitment to mission - exceptional
• God-centered and never boring worship - exceptional
• care for children and youth – exceptionally high
• service to community – exceptionally high
• openness to new ideas – exceptionally high.

The responses that rank us below other congregations are

• inviting and bringing others and sharing one’s faith story
• carrying Sunday’s “Prayers of the People” into one’s personal spiritual practices
• consistent and regular attendance at worship and an increase in number who contribute
• an understanding that our goals are defined in our Baptismal vows and that our vision is seen in who we are and what we are doing as a congregation.

At the same time the low response to being a church with clear goals and a vision for the future is an invitation to give more attention to announcing them in print, through the media, and, the best means: by word-of-mouth. So, at summer’s end, we return to the full schedule with a sense of newness that has us giving our attention to experiencing and publicizing how the God who can make all things new is at work among us. Wherever these logos appear, they are markers to creative responses that invite your participation.

Thanks be to God whose Spirit is at work among us and in you!

Your Pastor, Martha B. Kriebel+

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This year’s seminarian will have a six-week rather than six month stay. (Lancaster Seminary’s field education has changed to one-year rather than two, and the class is small – only 11 available seminarians. This means no one is available to come to Trinity). Instead . . . we are welcoming Ulrike "Ullie" Bischoff from Germany's Anhalt District Church (our partner church from August 20 to October 4. in what is anticipated as being ongoing student visits (the first was at Philadelphia’s Old First Church during Lent).

“Ullie” is a theology student at the University of Halle and comes with a rich experience of teaching, volunteer service in Russia and a year at their Orthodox Academy. She speaks fluent English and looks forward to her first visit to America and to experiencing our culture and church life. A huge thanks to Fran and Sally Rapp for hosting her from Aug. 20-30, (followed by being at home with the Kriebels), and to all of Trinity’s gracious volunteers who will take her sightseeing. St. Luke’s, Augustus, Advent in Harleysville, Old First, and New Goshenhoppen Churches will join Trinity in introducing Ullie to our area, its history, and parish life. Look forward to meeting Ullie as she travels with Pastor Martha, joins us in worship on Sept. 12 and 26 and Oct. 3, and at weekday gatherings in August and September, plus the ASP spaghetti supper on Oct. 3 and the “God's speed” breakfast in Hendricks Room at 9:00 AM on Oct.4.