Mission and Justice

Trinity Church is dedicated to partnering with and supporting others in our community and elsewhere in the world, especially those in need. We believe in the spiritual value of accompanying those who are struggling, having found that we ourselves also receive as we reach out to offer what we can to others.

CROP Walk 2022

The 2022 annual CROP Walk stepped off on October 16 at 2:00 pm. Team Trinity was well represented as you can see from this picture. You can still make a donation at https://events.crophungerwalk.org/2022/event/springfieldma. Type in "Team Trinity Springfield" to donate.
Please note that a portion of the proceeds from the walk stay local and 100% of the funds go to support food insecurity. Church World Service does not take out for administrative costs.

You can see photos of the CROP Walk on the CROP Walk Photo page.

UMCOR Disaster Relief for Hurricane Victims and Others

United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) responds to disasters in the United States and around the world by working with communities and local partners. When a disaster overwhelms a community’s ability to recover on its own, UMCOR provides essential relief supplies and supports long-term rebuilding efforts. While UMCOR is not a first-response organization, it stands ready to accompany communities in need over the long haul of their recovery until a “new normal” is established after a crisis. “Early in and last out” is a guiding principle of UMCOR.

UMCOR is in contact with the disaster response coordinator of the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico and has awarded a grant to help address immediate needs of those affected by Hurricane Fiona. You can help through your prayers for those affected and your monetary donation to help with disaster recovery. When you make a donation to UMCOR, 100% of your gift will go directly to help with the relief efforts. You can either designate a specific relief effort or you can specify that your donation should go to where it is needed most at the time.

UMCOR is accepting donations to support the victims of Hurricane Fiona and Ian as well as continued support for the people of Ukraine and other areas, both in the US and internationally, that are in need of humanitarian and rebuilding efforts. You can make a direct donation to UMCOR or follow the link below to give your donation through Trinity.

To give, you can either write a check to Trinity or you can give electronically via our Electronic Giving page. If you prefer your gift to go toward a specific disaster relief, please specify which one. If you are willing to have your gift go to where it is most needed, you can just specify UMCOR. Thank you for your generosity. When you donate through Trinity, either by check or electronically, Trinity will be credited for the donation.

Food Insecurity Parkside Pantry

Parkside Pantry Update

Since April 2021, Trinity's Parkside Pantry has given out 403 bags of food to our neighbors in need. At this time, supplies are running low and we are turning once again to our generous congregation to help stock the pantry for the summer months. We anticipate a need for 90-100 bags in total.

The Parkside Pantry is open on the fourth Wednesday of the month from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Hale Room entrance to Trinity. We welcome new volunteers along with anyone who could use a little extra food at the end of the month.

The response from our neighbors has been positive. We are working with the Missions Committee, the Administrative Council, and community nonprofit agencies on a plan to keep the pantry supplied.

We are asking everyone who is able and feels moved to donate at this time to fill a bag with the following items:

box of cereal

container of shelf stable milk

box of pasta

jar or can of pasta sauce

jar of peanut butter,

jar of jam or jelly

can of tuna fish,

can of chicken

bag of rice

bag or ban of beans

roll of toilet paper

There is an ongoing need for donations to support the Parkside Food Pantry. Donations can be dropped off in the back of the sanctuary on Sunday mornings. We thank you in advance for your continued support and will keep you informed about our progress in pursuing long term community partnerships.

If you prefer, you can make a monetary donation by dropping off a check on Sunday morning or through our on-line donations.

Trinity's Community Ministries

Thanksgiving Baskets for neighborhood families who are food insecure

Christmas Is Not Your Birthday—Annual donations to support specific community health and anti-poverty initiatives.

Mentors with students at Sumner Ave. Elementary School--Currently on hold due to COVID

Urban Potential is a 501c3 non-profit created by Trinity Church to celebrate, support, and enrich urban life in the Greater Springfield area. UP currently supports:

JFON—Justice for Our Neighbors provides free or affordable legal services for immigrants and also offers meals to families on clinic nights
Urban Challenge — a multi-day immersion program introducing people to urban life and celebrating life in the city. You can get a more complete picture of the scope of this program by visiting the Urban Challenge website.

Local Ministries

Trinity supports a number of local ministries:

Revitalize Springfield
An organization committed to revitalize homes and lives through preservation, education, and community involvement.

Angel Tree Project
Christmas gifts for children whose parents are in prison.

Church World Service CROP Walk
Trinity hosts and supports the annual walk to end hunger both locally and world wide.

Mobile Food Bank of Western Mass
Fresh and non-perishable groceries are delivered to Trinity’s parking lot on the 1^st and 3^rd Wednesday to be distributed to neighborhood residents. There is no eligibility requirement for receiving the food.

Relay for Life
Trinity sponsors a team of walkers to remember loved ones lost, honor, and raise money for efforts to make an implact on ending cancer.

Open Pantry
Preparing monthly meal for Loaves and Fishes, collecting non-perishable food items for the food pantry, and making quilts and blankets for the children at the Teen Parent Program.

International Ministries

Nicaragua Covenant
Trinity has supported the Nicaragua Covenant since 2013 with both donations and an annual mission trip. Members of the mission team have helped provide clean water and sanitation as well as build stoves, deliver material donations, and assist with feeding programs and the mobile health clinic, among others.

With the current unrest in Nicaragua, the Nicaragua Covenant has been forced to decrease their operations. This is the statement from their FaceBook page:

After over thirty years, the Nicaragua Covenant is decreasing its operations in Nicaragua. Decreasing, yet not ending the covenant; our promise to the people of Nicaragua. While our mission is less than in previous years, we remain hopeful for future endeavors with our sisters and brothers in Nicaragua. We thank the many, many churches, schools and donors for their years of support. For more information, please send a private message via Facebook and a board member will contact you. Please continue to keep the people of Nicaragua in your thoughts and prayers.

Updates can be found on their FaceBook page.
For more information, please contact us at nicaragua@trinityspringfield.org.