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TRACHSEL LEGACY CONTINUES Two sisters who had the longest associations with the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lansing made bequests that account for approximately one-third of the value of our endowment fund, enhancing the financial stability of the Church for years to come. Janette Trachsel was born into the Universalist Church of Lansing in 1909 and died in February of this year. Her sister, Elsie Trachsel, died in March of 2002 at 87. Their parents met at the (then) Universalist Buchtel College in Ohio and were married by a prominent Universalist minister there. Both parents were teachers, and Elsie followed in their footsteps. Janette became a secretary after graduating from what was then Michigan Agricultural College (now MSU). She majored in languages and studied math and economics as well. In Jerry Thornton's historical record of the Church, Elsie's and Janette's mother is listed in the 1940s with seven other women "without whom the Church could not have survived." They found numerous ways to raise money, and pared costs by providing flowers and music. When the Church moved to an unoccupied building on North Washington Avenue, these women scrubbed, sanded and refinished floors, cleaned and painted walls, and refurbished the Church's new home. Like their parents, Janette and Elsie contributed generously, both as volunteers and donors, to the Church and to the community. Janette sang in the Universalist Church choir and volunteered at Ingham Medical Center, bringing the library cart to patients. Elsie worked on the Church archives and volunteered at the Lansing Art Gallery and in the Sparrow Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shop. After retiring from kindergarten teaching, she also volunteered at the Montessori School. It's no surprise to find that Janette, Elsie and their parents were listed among the most active members of the Church in the early 1970’s, the end of the period covered by Jerry Thornton’s history. Through their generous bequests, Janette’s and Elsie’s contributions to the Church live on. The endowment plays a vital role in the life of the Church. The principal is never spent, but rather is invested. The earnings enable the Church to meet needs and to take advantage of opportunities that the operating budget cannot accommodate. Marjorie Porter, member
Unitarian Universalist
Church of Greater Lansing
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We are a welcoming congregation located at UUCGL Statistics Our congregation includes 385 members, 182 friends (people who attend but are not members), and 88 visitors who have signed our newcomer book but have not yet decided to formally join the congregation. On average, we have four or five visitors each Sunday. |
