Trinity
  Episcopal
  Church
    Since 1746

Statement of Purpose

To welcome and encourage
all in our journey with
Christ

To provide a loving,
active environment
for Christian worship,
learning and service

To utilize our Episcopal
heritage and our unique
gifts, resources and blessings
as a witness
in the community.

Outreach and Missions at Trinity Church

Statement of purpose of the Outreach Committee

To open the way for the Spirit of God to transform us and the world

By encouraging, supporting and facilitating works which are faithful to the Gospel’s challenge to feed the hungry, satisfy the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the sick, and visit the imprisoned.

For as Christ teaches,
“Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”

To be part of Trinity Church is to understand the blessings of giving. Here are some of our main outreach activities.

Noon Lunch Program

Trinity volunteers and crews from a number of other churches and organizations serve a hot meal to people in need every weekday. Volunteers from Trinity and from many other churches prepare food and serve in McCracken Hall (our Parish Hall).

Haiti Collaborative

Started in 2009 this group of people from Trinity and other area churches and Stuart Hall School raises money to build and fund operations of St. Marc's School in Cerca-la-Source, Haiti. When the earthquake that devastated the most populous areas of Haiti hit in January 2010, the collaborative was already working on the school project. The need for long term solutions, such as better education, to Haiti's poverty and infrastructure problems was illuminated by this disaster even as relief organizations and personal giving was focused on acute problems like housing and food. Read about the collaborative trip to Haiti in July 2010.

Missions to Honduras

Since 2003, Trinity has sent an adult mission group once a year to work in Honduras, the 2nd poorest country in the western hemisphere.  In 2006 and 2008 we also sent a youth mission group.  We plan to send another youth group in summer 2011, while continuing the annual winter trip for adults. We are working under the auspices of the Episcopal Diocese of Honduras, whose Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Lloyd Allen, has ambitious plans for building churches throughout Honduras.  To date we have assisted, financially and physically, in the building of the Church of the Holy Spirit (Iglesia de Espiritu Santo) in Santa Rita de Copan, the Mission Church of San Nicolas in El Quebracho, Copan.  

Millennium Development Goals

In response to the resolution of the 2006 General Convention of the Episcopal Church, Trinity has made a commitment to the concept of designating .7 % of its operating budget to support of programs which further the Millennium Develop Goals. (See links to the left for information about how we will provide monthly support of the individual goals from October 2007 through May 2008)  We have allocated a portion of our .7% commitment from funds previously designated to outreach.  Our goal is to incorporate the full .7% into our operating budget without drawing from non-operating funding.  We are also working to educate and encourage individuals to make a personal commitment to give an additional .7% of their income toward the fulfillment of the goals.

Ritenour Nursing Home Project

This effort was started by a parishioner, Marcy Robinson, to support the residents of Ritenour Nursing Home, a facility for elders and people with disabilities with low or no income. The project includes monthly Bingo games, gifts of calendars, books and magazines, birthday observances, music programs and special food treat deliveries.

Christmas Eve Outreach Dinner

This annual event is anticipated by members, families and guests.  The entire congregation gets involved and many count this as something that ‘makes’ Christmas for them!  On Christmas Eve a turkey dinner with all the trimmings is served in McCracken Hall.  Santa comes, (of course!) and gifts are distributed to the guests.  Everyone helps and the smiles and laughter that issue from every corner of that hall is amazing to behold.

Other opportunities to serve

Episcopal Church Young Adult Service Corps (click to find out more)

Healing Meals

This committee provides dinners to parishioners in times of need. You don't need to be a gourmet chef to help, carry-out chicken or whatever you are preparing for your family is appreciated.

Grants Committee

The committee researches organizations requesting funds from Trinity. The committee recommends grant recipients to the vestry. The goal is to help local organizations which address basic human needs.

Meals on Wheels

Trinity is responsible for delivering Meals on Wheels, a hot midday meal, to housebound people on the second Tuesday and the fifth Wednesday of each month. The Center for the Aging supplies the meal. We furnish the wheels.

United Thank Offering

UTO Ingathering is a special collection that is dispersed by the Episcopal Church for aid and development projects. Participating is a way of deepening faith and thanking God for blessings. Everyone in the Episcopal Church is encouraged to bring gifts to the Fall and Spring Ingathering's.

To see more outreach opportunities, look at the Big Giant List.

Links of Interest

To contribute to Trinity Outreach, please make a check payable to Trinity Church, with the name of the effort you wish to support in the memo line, such as "Honduras Mission" or "Haiti Collaborative" and send it to Trinity Church, P. O. Box 208, Staunton, Virginia 24402.