Looking Back at 2025

Summer Block Party 2025

Friends in Christ,

As we look back on this past year at Trinity, I am grateful—for God’s faithfulness and for the people who continue to live out Christ’s healing love through this community. The story of 2025 is not simply about what we accomplished, but about who we are becoming as a congregation rooted in servanthood, relationships, and hope.

One of the most visible expressions of that spirit was the neighborhood Block Party in August. What began as an invitation became a joyful celebration of connection—neighbors meeting neighbors, generations coming together, laughter filling our grounds, and Trinity opening its hearts to the community around us. It was a beautiful reminder that ministry often begins with hospitality and presence, and that church is about meeting people where they are.

This year also marked a historic milestone in the life of our congregation: the fulfillment of our $4.5 million T150 project loan. This achievement reflects years of faithful stewardship and a shared commitment to Trinity’s future. Launched in 2017, the T150 project has provided countless new spaces, improved heating/cooling, kitchen upgrades, our worship livestreaming technology and a large gift to Lutheran World Relief’s work in Bihar, India. What a joy to burn the mortgage this fall without using a dollar of general offerings on the loan!

Guiding our work throughout 2025 were four strategic goals, each helping us listen more carefully to God’s call in this new time. We began exploring alternative revenue streams to support mission, seeking creative and sustainable ways to fund ministry beyond traditional models. We continue to work at recruiting and equipping lay leaders, recognizing that, even with a wonderful staff, the church thrives when even more are empowered to lead and use their gifts.

We also spent time exploring how people are being fed at Trinity—through worship, faith formation, relationships, and care. These conversations reminded me that spiritual nourishment looks different for different people and that our calling is to build connections between people in meaningful and life-giving ways. Finally, we began exploring partnerships with area congregations, opening ourselves to new ways of being church together for the sake of God’s work in North Iowa.

As we gather for Trinity’s Annual Meeting, I give thanks for each person who has given their time, talents, prayers and resources to make this ministry possible. Our world is changing. Maybe faster than ever. Yet our calling to serve, welcome, receive and extend healing in Jesus’ name, does not change. May the God who has brought us to this new day guide us into ever-new ways of being Servant Church together!

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