MWR : Pastoral changes

Last updated November 24.

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Feb. 1, 2010 issue

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Tags: Congregations

Pastoral changes

Trinity Mennonite Church, Glendale, Ariz.

By Leah M. Hershberger

Baby dedication: Eliana Sartori, daughter of Eric and Rachel Sartori, on Dec. 20.

Pastor Shane Hipps accepted a call to Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Mich. A discernment team led by Laurie King was called to discern a replacement for Hipps. A prayer team led by Mary Mae Klassen and Jane Friesen was also called to intentionally ask God’s presence during the time of transition. On Dec. 27, Hal Shrader was announced as a candidate for discernment by the congregation.

Joe Shetler, Hesston College alumnus, was invited by the college to display a collection of drawings and watercolors in the Smith Center Gallery during November.

Trinity celebrated the transfer of ordination for associate pastor Ron Faus and the licensing for ministry for associate pastor Hal Shrader on Nov. 15. Care ministry director Maribeth Troyer’s licensing for ministry was celebrated on Nov. 22.

A blessing for Ethan, Olivia, Sofie and Ellie Hartzler took place Nov. 22 to celebrate their adoption into the Stefanie Hartzler family.

The annual Christmas program on Dec. 13 told the story of Jesus’ birth and featured the talents of Trinity’s children ages 3 through fifth grade. The production was led by children’s ministry director Stefanie Hartzler. The grand finale included the annual congregational singing of Handel’s “The Hallelujah Chorus” directed by Jeff Jones.

A white envelope offering was taken at the Christmas Eve service and benefited projects chosen by Trinity’s mission commission. Recipients were the Palo Verde Middle School, a neighborhood school struggling to meet the daily needs of its students, and Sudan Mission Project, to support the projects of mission workers Leroy and Joan Willems, who serve with MCC in Sudan.

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