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.

UMCOR Disaster Relief for Earthquake Victims in Turkey and Syria

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 has released a grant to International Blue Crescent for humanitarian aid to the victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. The grant will provide tents, heaters, blankets, warm clothes, ready to eat meals and basic first aid kits. You can learn more on the UMCOR International disaster page. They have posted a FaceBook video with an update to their initial response. You can make a donation either directly to UMCOR through this page or through Trinity by following the instructions below.

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

The idea for Parkside Pantry began after the pandemic started in March 2020 as we looked for ways to respond to our neighbors in need. Trinity’s Parkside Pantry officially opened in April 2021. Since then, we have given out 537 bags of non-perishable food as well as turkeys and other fixings at Thanksgiving time. Most of our food supply has come from the generous donations of Trinity congregation members as well as food drives in churches, schools and businesses in nearby towns.

In January 2023, we were accepted as members of the Food Bank of Western Mass. This new partnership gives us a stable supply of food. It also gives us access to fresh produce and other refrigerated items. As a result of generous financial donations from individuals as well as the 2022 Christmas is Not Your Birthday campaign, we are purchasing a refrigerator and will be able to offer a greater variety of food items at our pantry starting in March. The Parkside Pantry team is extremely grateful for all of the support and generosity that has been shown. We are also very appreciative of our regular volunteers who come each month and make this ministry possible.

The Missions Committee is accepting monetary donations to help supplement the food donations received from the Food Bank.

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. If you have questions or need more information, please call (413) 351-0601?.

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--programming is currently on hold. Please call the church office at 413-737-5021 or email urbanchallenge@trinityspringfield.org with questions or inquiries.

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.

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.