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Weekly Update
June 5, 2024
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The assembly of the Southwest California Synod of the ELCA met on Friday and Saturday, May 31-June 1 at the Lutheran Center in Glendale. Trinity elected voting members Birgit Lilligren and Mary Lenihan who served with Pr. Douglas. They were joined by Wolf Heim who is serving as a member of the synod council. Mary and Birgit will give a breif report to the congregation to highlight the many actions, learnings and celebrations of the days. Pr. Douglas served as a spokeperson for the Reference and Council Committee which presents resolutions and memorials to the synod and churchwide expressions of the church. He also presented a workshop on the Draft Social Statement on Civic Life and Faith as he is a member of the 5 year national task force for this important teaching of the church. | |
Trinity Congregational News | |
Director of Music and Liturgy Announces Retirement | |
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At Sunday worship on June 2, Mary Lenihan, council president and longtime choir member, announced the upcoming retirement of James Koenig, our Director of Music and Liturgy. Jim’s last day on the pastoral staff at Trinity will be July 21.
Read Jim’s Retirement Letter to the Congregation Here
Jim has been with Trinity since 2013 and we celebrate his decade long tenure of choir directing, composition, planning, organ and piano playing, and community connections. Along with the annual Christmas Lessons and Carols service, Jim has organized many concerts, special worship services, and has provided beautiful and deeply meaningful texts for worship. Jim’s choral work has amplified and deepened the long tradition of liturgical choral music at Trinity.
Jim has engaged talented musicians from the greater Los Angeles area to bring world class music to Trinity, including local, regional and international performers. Along with skills in keyboard, Jim is a Baritone whose voice is heard in various arts arenas. In addition to performing in opera, concert, and recital venues he is a voice teacher and performance coach, director, and presenter.
In addition to his work at Trinity, Jim is the founder and director of the Scandinavian Film Festival LA and has also served on the board of directors of a number of arts organizations, as well as on the faculty of several summer programs in the United States and in Europe. Jim has served as an adjudicator for vocal competitions, and jury member for film prizes, and scholarships. Jim was decorated by the government of Finland as a Knight of the Order of the Finnish Lion for his contribution to Finnish music and culture.
At his retirement, Trinity also honors the memory of Jim’s longtime partner of 44 years, David Larson, who brought great gifts of music as a part of Trinity’s choir before his death in October of 2014.
In honor of Jim and in thanksgiving for all that has been and in hope of what is yet to come, Trinity will hold a special festival worship at 10 a.m. on July 21 with guest musicians and featuring many of Jim’s liturgical, musical, and poetic compositions. A luncheon will follow worship on that day. If you would like to make a gift to Jim or provide him with a card, you may do so personally or you may send in a contribution via the church office and anything collected will be given to Jim as a retirement gift from the congregation.
Stay tuned as Trinity’s council will announce plans for a hiring team and other news as we seek to provide continuity with the beautiful and meaningful program that Jim has built over this past decade.
A Prayer
For the life and ministry of Jim, we give you thanks, O God. For the gifts of music, poetry, and image you have given him that he might serve your people, for opportunities to grow and learn, for relationships built through years of connection, we give you thanks, O God. As he now transitions to a new phase, direct him in new ways of serving you and one another. Amen.
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Trinity Celebrates Pride Month | |
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As an intentionally welcoming, inclusive and affirming congregation, Trinity celebrates with LGBTQIA+ friends a month of Pride. May this PRIDE season be a time for us all to see the ways the Divine is embodied in our beloved LGBTQIA+ siblings and recommit to the work of justice!
At Trinity, during the month of June the Altar Guild will feature the Rainbow Flag as part of the banners and decoration of our gathering area: the narthex. This sign of inclusion and welcome celebrates the gift of diversity in our midst and encourages us to strive toward the full inclusion of all people, including those of diverse sexual and gender identities as part of God's beautiful creation.
Please check out local Pride events and if you'd like to learn more or find a way to participate, check out the "Call to Action" links below from our partners at Reconciling Works.
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As people of faith, our support of the LGBTQIA+ community is more critical than ever. As more states double down on LGBTQIA+ discrimination, your voice and the voice of your faith community have a tremendous impact on the safety of LGBTQIA+ people. LGBTQIA+ do not have federal protections for public accommodation. This means it is up to individual cities, counties, and states to create nondiscrimination laws and policies based on gender identity and sexual orientation. What this means is that LGBTQIA+ people can be denied access to simple things like having a bakery make their wedding cake or photography for their wedding. It also means more impactful access to essential accommodations like housing, life-saving medical care, and access to skilled nursing facilities. This PRIDE, take the time to utilize the following Reconciling Works resources to support you in the holy work of justice:
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Conversation on Peace and the Middle East
June 23, 2024
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Trinity welcomes Bishop Emeritus Dean Nelson who will be preaching and presiding at worship while Pr. Douglas is away in Europe. On June 23, following worship, Bp. Nelson will offer a time for reflection and discussion on his experiences working with partners in the Palestinian Territories over the last many years. He will offer insights on his “on the ground” experiences and conversations that can help to shed light on how we can advocate and work for peace. The forum will be held in the conference room in the parish admin building.
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July 28, August 25, September 29- Outdoor Worship (Subject to Change)
Trinity continues our summer tradition of meeting in the Ficus Grove for a simple summer worship service with Holy Communion. More dates will be announced as the summer progresses. Companion Animals (well behaved) are always welcome at our outdoor worship. There are plenty of seats and picnic tables, but feel free to bring a blanket or lawn chairs to enjoy. Time for fellowship will follow each outdoor worship service.
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Trinity Graduates and other Milestones | |
On May 18, 2024, Erik Lilligren graduated cum laude from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Naval Science. On the same day, Erik was commissioned as an officer of the U.S. Navy. He has been selected to be part of the U.S. Navy Cyber Command in Maryland. | |
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Trinity would love to celebrate all of our 2024 graduates and others who are celebrating special milestones. Please send a photo and related information to the office.
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Community Events and Opportunities | |
Local Juneteenth Celebrations | |
Juneteenth Ceremony
The first event is the Juneteenth Ceremony at Bruce's Beach Park. This ceremony will be held on Juneteenth, Wednesday, June 19, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM to honor African-American history with speakers from the community, special guests, and gospel choir.
Juneteenth Celebration & Concert
The second event is the Juneteenth Celebration and Concert at Polliwog Park. This family friendly celebration will be held on Saturday, June 22, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Polliwog Park with live music, delicious food, and vendors!
Register Here
Juneteenth Storytelling and Performances at the Manhattan Beach Public Library
In celebration of Juneteenth, the Library invites you to join us for special performances by Ina the Sunshine Storyteller and Chazz Ross, followed by the inauguration of the Bruce's Beach Collaborative Collection as local historian Dr. Anthony Lee discusses the collection and the significance of Juneteenth.
Learn More
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Upcoming Trinity Worship and Events | |
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UPCOMING TRINITY EVENTS
Worship Each Sunday at 10 a.m.
June 9
Worship 10 a.m.
Pr. Dale Krumland, presider
June 16
Worship 10 a.m.
Bishop Emeritus Dean Nelson, presider
June 23 Forum
Conversation on Peace and the Middle East
with Bishop Emeritus Dean Nelson
July 21 Festive Worship and Luncheon
in Honor of Jim Koenig's Retirement
July 28, August 25, September 29
Outdoor Worship in the Ficus Grove
October 5-6
Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair
and Pepperbellies Booth Fundraiser
Sunday, October 27, 2 p.m
75th Anniversary Festival Worship (no 10 a.m. service)
With special guests and Bishop Brenda Bos
3:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Neighborhood 75th Anniversary Festival
with Food and Family Fun
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For the summer months, Trinity will publish the enews every other week, or as needed for special announcement. We will resume a weekly enews communication after Labor Day.
The Sunday Worship e-news will still be sent early each Sunday morning with the worship link and any important messages.
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PARISH OFFICE HOURS
Mon - Thu: 9:30 AM – 3 PM
Closed Fridays
Contact Parish Office
Phone- 310-374-4380
Email- admin@besidethesea.org
Visit- 1340 11th St.; MB
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Giving to Trinity
Thank you for your regular financial gifts to support our ministry, please click the button below to make a one-time donation via Trinity's secure giving platform.
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Prayer requests may be made to the parish office by emailing or calling.
The names will be held in prayer for one month
unless otherwise requested. (*Member of Trinity) (Request by Member of Trinity) (New Intention)
Those who are sick or in any need
For Sue Lubinski, Carol Levin's sister-in-law, who is battling pancreatic cancer.
For Jeanette Carey, Kathy Wright's aunt.
For Daniel Wright, Jon Wright's cousin who was hurt in a farm accident.
For Grace Folkerd, Jon Wright's aunt.
For Christina Lilligren, for full recovery after car accident.
Prayers for Barbara Johnson for continued healing and strength.
For Bill Skones, for healing and comfort from CLL.
For Marcia Aaron, for peace and comfort and a relief from fear.
For Gerry Jaffe
For Abbe, for healing of her heart so that fear will leave its fibers and serenity will take up residence there.
We pray for all under the threat or practice of war, including the people of Ukraine and the people of Israel and the Palestinian Territories.
For those who have died and those who mourn
Thanksgivings
For our Director of Music and Liturgy, Jim, and the Trinity Choir.
For Altar Guild members who set up and prepare for Worship each week.
For our Preschool Partner "Piper Preschool at Trinity".
The Intentions of this Community
- -For addiction and recovery support groups that meet at Trinity.
- -For the South Bay Community Coalition Against Hate as we work together to address antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism, homophobia, transphobia and injustice against women
- -For the people of Ukraine, Israel and the Palestinian Territories and an end to war. For refugees and those displaced from homes and family.
- -For the pastors, deacons, and churches of the South Bay Conference.
- -For those fed by our sandwich ministry.
- -For Project: Needs
- -For the congregations of New City Parish.
- -For an end to systematic racism, war, and oppression.
- -For victims of gun violence in our nation.
- -For all congregations who are Reconciling in Christ and embrace the full welcome of LGBTQ+ people.
- -For our Bishop, Brenda, our Pastor, Douglas, and all leaders of the church.
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Member and Friend Information Form | |
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Trinity is so happy to be welcoming so many new members and friends! Some are returning after time away, many are new to the neighborhood or area, and some are part of different religious traditions but worship at Trinity.
If you fit in the above description or have a recent change to your contact or other information, please fill out the secure form at the link below so that we may update our records, learn more about you, and respond to any questions or feedback you may have.
The descriptions of membership are included in the form and if you have any questions, please speak with Pastor Douglas or contact the church office.
Special Note: Please fill a separate form for each person in your household (i.e. if you have 2 children, please fill out a separate form for each child). You should be able to use the same email address to register multiple forms.
If you would prefer to provide this information by phone or in person by paper form, please email or call the parish office.
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