EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION DATE: SEPTEMBER 10
Register online only: http://tinyurl.com/cor2010

The time spent at Leadership Institute will have a lasting impact on your ministry for years to come! Reserve the date – Oct. 7-8.

With great sadness we have lost a dear friend and fellow parishioner, Todd Varness, who died on Monday, Aug. 2 at UW Hospital after suffering from complications of cancer.

At Trinity Todd had served with love in multiple capacities and ministries: as youth leader with his sister, Krissy, he sang in the choir, played trumpet, and most recently had been the chairperson of our Staff-Parish Relations Committee.

He will be dearly missed. Please join us for a visitation on Friday evening at Trinity and a celebration of life on Saturday at First UMC. Details follow below. Christ’s peace be with all of us, and with Todd’s spirit at this difficult time.

Obituary:
Varness, Todd S.

MADISON – Todd Varness, age 36, passed away Monday, August 2, 2010, surrounded by family, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Todd was born on June 11, 1974, in Peoria, Illinois, to Harvey and Nancy Varness. He graduated from Dunlap High School in 1992, from Valparaiso University in 1996, and from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Public Health in 2002. He completed his Pediatrics residency and Endocrine fellowship at UW Madison. On May 25, 2008, he married Dierdre Conley on the beach in Naples, Florida.

Todd lived every day of his life with an unwavering devotion to others. He was passionate about family, friendships, education and service, and this passion was infectious. He made everything he did look effortless and fun, largely because of his gifted mind, sharp wit and unwillingness to complain. He inspired so many of us to be better people.

He is survived by his loving wife Dierdre and the son they expect in December; parents Harvey and Nancy Varness; grandfathers Hiram Varness and Glenn Oertley; brother Erik (Kate) Varness; sister Krissy (Nick) Pretasky; parents-in-law Bruce and Karla Conley; sister-in-law Tamara (Mike) Gogin; nephews and nieces Emma, Max, Samantha, Braden, Brock, and Flynn; and countless friends.

A visitation will be held Friday, August 6th from 5-7pm at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1123 Vilas Avenue, Madison. A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 7th at 2pm at First United Methodist Church, 203 Wisconsin Avenue, Madison.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Todd’s church (Trinity UMC; 1123 Vilas Avenue; Madison, WI 53715 – Designate “Todd Varness Memorial”), to the UW Children’s Hospital (UW Foundation for AFCH; PO Box 8860; Madison, WI 53708 – Designate “Todd Varness Memorial”), or to the Diabetes Camp where Todd was a medical director each summer (American Diabetes Association; Corporate Woods; 375 Bishops Way, Suite 220; Brookfield, WI 53005 – Designate “Diabetes Camp, Todd Varness Memorial”).

Additionally, a college fund for Baby Varness has been established at Capitol Bank. Contributions may be made to “Baby Varness Educational Fund” and sent to Capitol Bank; 710 North High Point Road; Madison, WI 53717.

Todd’s family would like to thank the Pediatrics and Anesthesia Departments at UW Hospital, Todd’s many health care providers, the congregation of Trinity United Methodist Church, and all of the friends, neighbors, and patients who provided an immeasurable amount of love, food, and humor over the past several months.

Bethany, ‘Unite to Be Debt Free’ Stewardship Campaign Chairperson

(Written by Wendy Countryman)

Prayer for families:
Lord,

It’s fun to ride in the elevator, and the ramp for the wheelchairs looks like a perfect place for skateboarding.

But when I see someone at church who is able to come and worship because we have a ramp and an elevator, I forget about my fun, and thank you that our church is accessible.

Thank you, Lord. Amen.

Prayer for Adults:
Lord,

I know the thought, the objection, “Why do we need to spend all that money for an elevator? I don’t need it?”

And then, one day, there she is, coming to church for the first time in years because now she can enter the sanctuary.

And then, one day, there he is, returning after a stroke, because even with a walker, his church is still within reach.

So thank you, for those who saw it first with eyes of faith, who saw how it could be.  Amen.

(Written by Wendy Countryman)

Prayer for families:
Lord,

Hands come in different sizes, big, little, narrow, wide. They come in different colors, too — ivory, caramel, coffee, olive, pink. Some hands can play a piano, other hands can play with the mud. Some hands can build with blocks, and some can build with brick. But everyone’s hands can wipe away a tear, touch a friend, fold in prayer. Everyone’s hands can do these things. So here are my hands, Lord, for you to use.

Prayer for Adults:
Lord,

Look at these hands, they have done so many things in this lifetime. They have played in the sand, clapped for joy, worked and served.

Now that these hands are old, what can they do? They can still wipe away a tear, stroke a child’s hair, touch a friend, fold in prayer.

Look at these hands, they have so much yet to do.  Amen.

(Written by Wendy Countryman)

Prayer for families:
Lord,

It’s fun to ride in the elevator, and the ramp for the wheelchairs looks like a perfect place for skateboarding.

But when I see someone at church who is able to come and worship because we have a ramp and an elevator, I forget about my fun, and thank you that our church is accessible.

Thank you, Lord. Amen.

Prayer for Adults:
Lord,

I used to feel like I was essential, that the church couldn’t function without me. Now, someone else is working n the kitchen, someone else is acting as usher, someone else is serving on the committees. So, do I still matter? Do I still make a difference?

Over the years, I have prayed a lot of prayers, prayer of thanks, prayers of struggle, prayers for help, and prayers to help. And all those prayers made a difference, a real difference. So, maybe I am not on a committee, but I can do something powerful – I can pray. Hear my prayer now, Lord, my prayer for my church. Amen.

(Written by Wendy Countryman)

Prayer for families:
Lord,

You do good work! Thank you for the beauty of our earth and help us take care of it.

Thank you for special places we love on this earth – a special tree that we like to climb, a peaceful lake, mountains or valleys, a starry sky, a rainy day, a fishing spot, or our backyard – our own special place that we love.

When we climb a special tree and are cradled in its branches, it is like being held in your hand. When we play in a park or walk or bike through the woods, we breathe in your peace. When we see the mountains, we are reminded that we are just one small part of a wonderful world.

Lord, help us listen to your voice when we are in the world. Amen.

Prayer for Adults:
Lord,

Throughout my life, you have blessed me wih moments of incredible beauty.

Thank you for the physical beauty of the earth you created. Whether it is the Grand Canyon or my own garden, I can see your hand in the beauty of this earth.

Thank you for the beauty of stillness, a breeze through the trees, water lapping at the shore, birtds chirping, a sleeping child’s slow steady breathing, the stillness of our congregation during silent prayer.

Thank you for the beauty of our church. The laughter of our youth, the commitment of the young adults, the tears of joy that form in Pastor Amanda’s eyes, our shared joys and concerns, and the amazing stained glass windows are all reminders of the beauty of your creation.

Thank you for the beauty. Amen.

A 6pm start time – doors open, bidding begins in the auction!
Donors include:
James J Chocolate Shop
Famous Dave’s
Pizza Pit
Frugal Muse
The Head Quarters
Clausen’s European Bakery
Chiripa
Local Artists – Stained Glass Art, photography
Collectors – Antique furniture
And MORE!

Concert Starts at 6:30pm and will include:

Chris Collins playing the piano
Julie Stalheim: piano/singing
John Itson: singing/sax
Mark and Cheryl Saltzman: trumpet and harp duet
Janet Huenink playing the piano
and some Members of the Madison Chamber Choir

Final bidding during intermission, when you will also be enjoying delicious appetizers and goodies. – Items distributed after the concert – 8pm.

Suggested Donation for this event is $5.

Trinity United Methodist Church is warm and welcoming – both its people and its physical space embody these qualities. The cost of making the church building more accommodating and comfortable has placed a large financial burden on the people of the church and has restricted their efforts to be a positive influence in the community and in wider circles.

This event is part of a larger ‘Unite to be Debt Free’ campaign to pay off renovation costs incurred years ago. Help Trinity free itself from financial debt and begin working at full strength – helping those who are struggling, feeding the hungry and sharing the good in this world.

(Written by Wendy Countryman)

Prayer for families:
Lord,

Years ago, a group of people who loved and believed in you decided they would build something special. That special something was our church building.

Over the years, the building has changed. Sometimes it needed repairs and sometimes it needed to grow. Each time, you provided people who could make it happen.

Thank you for everyone who helped build our church – carpenters, plumbers, electricians; people who made our beautiful stained glass windows; people who raised and donated money, people who prayed, and everyone who kept our church alive.

Help us continue to work together to keep our church strong. Amen.

Prayer for adults:
Lord,

Thank you for blessing all that is Trinity church. Thank you for leading me to this group of believers, and their commitment to making your word and your love available to everyone; regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, education, income, or other earthly standard.

Thank you for the people in this congregation who were willing to commit to a building project that made your house more accessible and for the people today who are helping to pay off the loans required to complete this work.

I pray that you bless my church family and help us continue to grow in love and faith. Amen.