| Metro Missions
Loaves and Fishes Ministry
Upcoming serving dates are Thu., Sept. 13, Nov. 8 and Jan. 10 from 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Trinity’s Loaves and Fishes Ministry involves Trinity members and friends in a partnership with Twin Cities based “Loaves and Fishes,” a non-profit organization that coordinates multiple meal serving sites reaching individuals and families in need. Our responsibility is to organize, purchase, prepare, serve and clean up a hot, nutritious meal six times a year at Faith Lutheran Church in the Frogtown neighborhood of St. Paul.
We serve approximately 150 each time, with a spaghetti dinner as our specialty. (We also  serve a brat/hot dog picnic-style meal in summer months.) Each time we serve, over 25 volunteers are involved. This outreach ministry enables us to be an extension of the body of Christ, serving in our community beyond the walls of Trinity. It meets an obvious and persistent need and is very rewarding as well. Please consider joining us! For more information on this ministry please contact Jeff Anderson at 651-439-9133 or Russ Savstrom at 651-430-0455.
Valley Outreach Food Shelf
Trinity volunteers wanted Mon., Sept. 17, Wed. Sept 19 & Fri., Sept. 21, 9 a.m.-noon - Meet at the Food Shelf
The Valley Outreach Food Shelf has served the St Croix Valley for over 22 years. The Food Shelf serves over 225 families each month; about 45% of those served are children, 10% are elderly, and another 10% are either mentally or physically disabled.
Volunteering at the Food Shelf is a wonderful way to serve our community. Opportunities include assisting customers as they shop for their food, sorting and stocking food donations, and unloading food donations as they arrive. f you are interested in volunteering, please call Heidi White at 651-351-1439.
Another way that Trinity Lutheran has been involved is by donating food and money. Trinity members are encouraged to bring in food donations and drop them in the bin located by the Fourth St. entrance. In addition, we have three food drives per year: in November at Thanksgiving, in March during Food Share Month, and during the summer, when donations are typically low, and requests for food are higher. To visit their website, go to www.valleyoutreachmn.org
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” –Matthew 25:35
Southeastern Minnesota Flood Relief
Dates to be determined
Volunteers will be needed over the next few months (September, October, November). More information will be shared as it becomes available. Contact Tom Thiets with questions via email.
Kids’ Winter Wear
Winter will soon be upon us and sadly there are families who do not have the resources to provide their children with proper winter clothing. Last year, thanks to your generosity, Trinity’s Kids’ Winter Wear initiative provided nearly 200 jackets, snow pants, and boots to kids who were without these essentials. This year the forecasted demand is even greater. If your family has outgrown, gently used winter wear, please bring it to the collection bin near the upstairs elevator later this fall. The clothing will be given to children in need through our distribution network of teachers in Stillwater and St. Paul schools. Donations of newly purchased items are also welcome. If you are an elementary teacher or staff member and would like to learn how your school can participate, please call Pam Lindberg at 651-430-0752.
The JESUS Delivers Ministry
Upcoming serving dates: Sat., Sept. 22; Oct. 27; Nov. 3 & 17; Dec. 1, 15, & 22
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Meet at the Daily Grind coffee shopin Stillwater and carpool to St. Paul
JESUS Delivers is one of the ministries of the St. Paul Evangelistic Association, a faith-based Food Shelf located in West St. Paul (www.jesusdelivers.info). The ministry provides about 250 lunches per serving day for the St. Paul homeless community using a mobile kitchen. The truck serves near the Dorothy Day Center across from the Excel Energy Center. Three days are scheduled per week including Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. We are trying to recruit groups of volunteers from Trinity who will serve on targeted Saturdays; see the schedule below. Couples, circles, clubs, confirmation groups, and families have been successful teams in the past. This past spring, the mission served its 60,000th lunch; food for the body and soul indeed! To read more about a typical day serving and what to expect, click here.
Angel Tree Prison MInistry
Angels appear on the tree this fall on Sun., Nov. 25, 2007Angel Tree works by connecting parents in prison with their children through the delivery of Christmas gifts. Prison chaplains identify willing prisoners, and their information is forwarded to the National Prison Ministries office. Trinity receives the information on 100 children who live in the east metro area. The committee then contacts the children’s caregivers for gift requests, completes forms for Trinity members, collects the gifts by family, and assures that they are delivered the week before Christmas. Each child receives two gifts – a need and a want, valued at about $20. Trinity members purchase gifts, wrap and label for delivery. Delivering the packages in person is also very rewarding! Donations can also be made toward $20 Target giftcards for the childrens’ caregivers. Watch for the angel cards on the Angel Tree during the holiday season the Sunday after Thanksgiving each year.
Joseph’s Coat Winter Wear CollectionHelp to keep your neighbors warm this winter! Joseph’s Coat is an independent, inner-city free store in St. Paul. Since 1989 it has been ministering to the working poor, the homeless, the mentally ill, and people in crisis. In recent years they have served approximately 600 adults each week. For the past several years Trinity has supported this organization with the donation of coats and winter wear. You can help by donating or helping to sort, pack, and deliver the collected items to Joseph’s Coat in St. Paul, each fall season. If you have questions or would like to volunteer, please contact Kay or Jerry Nelson at 439-7814 or via email. Midway Area Outreach Ministry at Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Sat., Sept. 15; Oct. 20; Nov. 17; Dec. 15
10 a.m.-3 p.m. – Meet at Bethlehem Lutheran, Midway
Outreach ministry with the homeless of St. Paul. Led by Anne Hansen
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