Summer Lunch at Waterworks Park
Trinity teamed with Harvesters and Rushton Elementary School to serve lunch through Harvester’s Meet and Eat summer lunch program. We served lunch on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays beginning June 1 and we will complete the program August 10. Olivia Hollman, our summer intern, was instrumental in leading this effort by organizing schedules and providing crafts and other activities at the site. Lunch was served by our trained lunch leaders: Susie Schram; Cheryl Miller and her grandchildren, Tate and Kaylee; Inez Holland; and Rhonda Synovec. Barb Moore served as a volunteer alongside Rayleen and Kaylee Green, Deborah Rushing, Roxie Bruensing, and Deborah Coleman from Rushton Elementary. Hands to Hearts bookmobile provided free books to children. We were also able to begin a Grocery Mobile Food Pantry in July for this site with a $600 grant from the Johnny Appleseed Foundation.
Connect Summer Sunday School
This summer we offered an inter-generational summer Sunday School called CONNECT. This interactive learning process allowed families and congregation members to “dig in” to Bible truths together. Fellowship brunches and service projects were also part of our time together. Classes were led by Pastor Phil, Ben Vineyard, Rhonda Synovec, Mark Schulz, and Nancy Schulz, with assistance from Barb Estes and Madi Cook.
Vacation Bible School (VBS)
At Cave Quest VBS we went on an over-the-top, underground adventure where children learned what it means to follow Jesus, the Light of the World. We learned that Jesus gives us hope, courage, direction, His love, and His power. We served 210 children with over 80 volunteers. We are thankful for each of you who served as station leaders, crew leaders, station assistants, or by helping through donations of food and supplies. A special thank you to our planning team members – Barb Estes, Cheryl Palmer, Kristol Stenstrom, Laura Pace, and Katie Taylor.
Kids Café VBS Summer Lunch
We offered free lunch each day following VBS at the Mission campus. This lunch was open to any child 1 – 18 years of age. Children did not have to participate in VBS or Kids’ Kamp to attend. We served an average of 40 meals daily during this week. Thanks to Annette Kramer and Joyce Barker for leading this effort.
Kid’s Kamp Mission
Twenty-seven children attended camp following VBS at Mission. Led by Olivia Hollman and Kerry Barker, with eight youth volunteers, we visited the residents of Bickford Senior living where we sang VBS songs and played Bingo, played games, and had a movie day with popcorn and root beer floats.
Lutheran Valley Retreat (LVR)
The theme of LVR 2016 was “Follow.” We explored what it meant to truly follow Jesus and how that changes our lives. Verse from 2 Peter 1:1-9 guided our time together. We participated in daily Bible study and worship, team building elements, camp service projects, high element challenges, a sunrise hike up Cedar Mountain and numerous other activities. The highlight of the week is Wednesday Worship atop Cedar Mountain. Sixty-eight youth and fourteen adults traveled to Lutheran Valley Retreat located in the mountains of Colorado. Attending from Trinity were Claire, Aubrey, and Wyatt Hoffstetter; Noah Kuhn; Blake Harrell; Grace Kim; Shane Delamore; Madison Delamore, serving as a Cabin Counselor; and Rhonda Synovec. Churches participating were Trinity, Lord of Life in Leawood, Christ in Overland Park, Redeemer in Olathe, Prince of Peace in Topeka, Beautiful Savior in Lee’s Summit, and St. Matthew in Lee’s Summit.
National Youth Gathering (NYG)
“In Christ Alone” served as the theme for the 2016 National Youth Gathering in New Orleans. NYG provides youth and adults the opportunity to come together as a community of God’s people to learn more about Jesus Christ, the Christian faith, and their Lutheran identity as we spend time together in God’s Word, worship, service, and fellowship with others. We served at Medard H. Nelson Charter School painting, mulching, and helping with other various tasks. We attended the Kansas District event at the Bayou Barn, took a swamp tour, participated in Bible study and interest center classes, and enjoyed the local cuisine. Attending from Trinity were Jacob Unger, Austin Medina, Halden Jeppesen, Hanna Hurt, Megan Eckman, and adult leaders Cheryl Palmer, Pastor Phil, and Rhonda Synovec.
