Trinity Stories
All Jesus did that day was tell stories—a long storytelling afternoon. His storytelling fulfilled the prophecy: I will open my mouth and tell stories; I will bring out into the open things hidden since the world's first day.Matthew 13:34-35 – The Message
LISA’S BLOG
Lisa Tucker-Gray
Standing in the Stream
Beloved Friends- This Sunday we will gather once again through our sacred digital platform, Trinity@Home, at 9:00 (and anytime thereafter), and then again at 10:00 in-person for Trinity@316. In both settings we will sing, pray, hear the Good News of the gospel and...
The Hill We Climb
Beloved Friends-
I don’t know about you, but lately I have grown tired of watching the seemingly endless loop of political commentaries day in and out when it comes to what is happening (or not happening) in our nation’s capital. I used to watch on a regular basis or listen to the radio in order to stay aware and informed as engaged citizen, but that has waned in the passing months.
Two years ago… read more
Most Durable Power in the World
Beloved Friends-
This coming Monday we will be observing “Martin Luther King Jr. Day.” Since 1986 our country has used this third Monday in January to celebrate and remember the immeasurable gifts of Martin Luther King Jr. and his tireless work as a nonviolent activist, preacher of the Gospel and key figure in the Civil Rights movement…
Beannacht: A Blessing for the New Year
Beloved Friends-
Happy New Year AND Happy Epiphany! Today, January 6th is the day on our church calendar we celebrate the arrival of the Wise Ones who came to visit the baby Jesus after his birth. Also known as “Three Kings Day” it has become an important part of our collective narrative as we move into the new year.
Since the Middle Ages …
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
George Benson

“Words Create Worlds”
More than a decade ago I was introduced to the Toledo based non-profit, Food for Thought (FFT). At the time I was the College Ministry Director for Crossroads Community Church off of exit 1 on US-23 in Ottawa Lake Michigan. My wife and I were freshly married and...

Abraham’s Hospitality
In chapter 18 of Genesis, we see God is hanging out with Abraham while three strangers are rolling by his tent. Abraham puts God on hold to run up and invite these strangers into his dwelling place, so that he may make a “morsel” of bread for them. But what happens next is, Abraham finds Sarah and has her prepare 16lbs of bread as he selects the most tender and best calf for the meal (as well as gathering milk and curds). Eventually the entire feast is prepared… read more

Community Action – New Blog
Beloved Friends,
Starting this week, we will be hearing from our new Director of Community Engagement, George Benson. I have asked George to carve out a little time to keep us focused on this important aspect of our expanding ministry as a downtown community of faith. Some weeks he may be calling us to action, while others …
MUSIC & THE ARTS
Chelsie Cree

Take a Listen
Hello, fellow music lovers! Today, it is my delight to share with you this musical setting of “The Beatitudes” by Philip Stopford. Much popular music, referring specifically to much of the Top 40s that play on the radio, and the music widely consumed through movies,...

Tormod Tvete Vik – Chelsie Cree
Tormod Tvete Vik: Bringing a modern harmonic language to classic text
Tormod Tvete Vik is a Norwegian composer. A consummate musician, he started his musical pursuit at the bright age of 6, studying violin, and continuing with music composition, arranging, musicology, pedagogy and conducting. He worked professionally as a violinist in his own quartet and string orchestra before, as he states in his bio, “dedicating his career to creating music instead.” With his extensive, impressive resume and catalogue of works, the world seems to be glad he did… and so are we.
Vik’s “Come Unto Me” was commissioned by Mark Pope for the University of Park United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas. Written for SATB and piano… Read More

Music selection, a creative process, and a messy desk kind of serious
Beloved Friends- I am delighted to share that from Friday June 23 through Friday July 15, I am turning this blog spot over to our Director of Music and the Arts, Chelsie Cree to share a little bit about the growing “soundtrack” and music ministry at Trinity. As we...

Neo-medievalism, Composer Andrew Smith, and 21st Century Sacred Music
Beloved Friends- I am delighted to share that from Friday June 23 through Friday July 15, I am turning this blog spot over to our Director of Music and the Arts, Chelsie Cree to share a little bit about the growing “soundtrack” and music ministry at Trinity. As we...