Trinity Church Weekly Trumpeter
Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy.
~ Exodus 20:8
06/17/2021

Dear Trinity Community,
I want to take a moment to thank all of our youth and children who led our worship service last Sunday! We were so blessed to have your leadership and voices, and I left Sunday feeling filled with the work of the Holy Spirit. I especially want to say thank you to Abigail St. Jean, who preached at our 11 AM service and to Hannah Day Donoghue, our Program Director, who helped coordinate all of the aspects of the worship service!

This Sunday we will be live-streaming worship! For most of the last 15 months, we have pre-recorded our worship services and premiered the services on Sundays at 11 AM. As we prepare to welcome our congregation back into the sanctuary on July 11, we will start live-streaming worship services, which means you will be watching worship in real time! Starting this Sunday, we will invite church leaders into the sanctuary for a “soft launch” to worship, and then starting July 11th, we will invite everyone back into the sanctuary for worship! At this time, we are asking you to pre-register for worship. Please note that we will require masks and social distancing for indoor worship. At this time, we are capping registration at 100 people max (which will allow for appropriate social distancing).

This weekend is also Annual Conference in the Virginia UMC. Annual Conference is the annual meeting of all United Methodist clergy and church representatives in Virginia. This year, due to COVID restrictions, we will be gathering online on Friday, June 18th and Saturday, June 19th. Annual conference will be livestreamed (although voting will be limited to delegates). I especially want to highlight the Service of Ordering Ministry on Friday, June 18th at 7 PM. This service is always such a highlight as we ordain our newest clergy and hear from wonderful speakers. 

I also want to highlight an ongoing mission partnership. Next week on June 24th, we will be hosting a Community Food Drive. As you may know, for the last year, we have partnered with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints which has allowed us to support and address food insecurity in our community, including Rising Hope’s food pantry. We are looking for volunteers and you can sign up here! For additional questions, contact Mary Gillman.

On Sunday, we will talk about “Being Renewed.” We will name that most of us have been in a perpetual state of exhaustion for the last 15 months, and how we need renewal if we will survive the next 15 months! We will talk about how we were created for Sabbath and that through Sabbath rest, we will find refreshing and renewal. Our scripture passage is from Exodus 31:12-17. I look forward to worshiping with you all Sunday!

Peace,
Pastor Grace
Join the Trinity Prayer Chain: During times of trial and uncertainty, we pray to grow in our faith and encourage one another. To respond to our growing prayer needs, we will be starting an email prayer chain to share our prayer concerns with one another. We will share joys as well as concerns and needs. If you are interested in being part of this prayer chain or have a prayer request, please email us here.
When the Spirit Moves: A Pentecost Sermon Series (May 23-July4): What is the Holy Spirit? While the Holy Spirit is ever present in the Bible, we often struggle to understand the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in our faith. Through this series, we will explore the powerful and transformative role of the Holy Spirit. What we will see is that the Holy Spirit is Gods breath, our sustainer and advocate, a place of new birth and growth, and calls us into mission and purpose.
HYBRID WORSHIP BEGINS JULY 11th! Starting July 11th, we will begin in-person, indoor worship in the sanctuary that will be live-streamed on-line! For indoor worship, masks and social distancing protocols will be required. At this time, we are capping registration at 100 people max (which will allow for appropriate social distancing). For additional information, visit us here.
Join us for the *first ever* Waffle Church, July 11th @ 5 PM! Waffle Church is an interactive and participatory worship service for ages from 0-120. Every service will center around communion which will be extended to sharing a meal, and that meal will be, you guessed it, WAFFLES! Join us in July as we explore rituals through the story of the crossing of Jordan by the Isrealites. Come play with water, stones and set some new rituals as we immerse ourselves in the Bible story, sing songs, play instruments, share in communion and eat waffles. Water, coffee and juice beginning at 4:30pm, Worship begins at 5 PM. Sign up here! For additional questions, contact Hannah Day Donoghue.
ALIVE! is hosting a Sidewalk Sale this Saturday, June 19th from 10 AM - 3 PM on S. Payne Street (between Commerce Street & Prince Street) *rain date Sunday, June 20. Proceeds benefit ALIVE! House and Friends of Guest House transitional shelters. Items for sale include clothing and shoes, decorative home furnishings, dishes and linens, children’s games and toys, small furniture, and sporting goods. A flyer for the event can be found here: FLYER. Visit ALIVE!s Sidewalk Sale event page here. For questions, contact Lauren Poon.

Community Food Drive: Trinity is again partnering with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for a Community Food Drive on Thursday, June 24th starting at 9:00 AM. This incredible mission project has allowed us to make a significant contribution to Rising Hopes food pantry. Please consider volunteering for the day (Community Food Drive Sign Up) as well as helping with deliveries to Rising Hope (Trinity’s Rising Hope Food Delivery). If you have questions, contact Mary Gillman.

Expanding our Partnership with Rising Hope: Rising Hope is looking for volunteers to help with unloading food and filling bags to give to clients. The shift starts at 10:30 AM and runs until about 2:30 PM(ish), depending on how many volunteers show. No advanced contact is needed, just show up.

Also, while our weekly delivery of packaged food is so very appreciated, there are personal items that are critically needed but are in low supply. If you want to contribute, bags can be placed in the bin by the church office door, across from the mailbox. We will make sure they are included in the weekly delivery. Below are a list of needs.
  • Diapers (size 4 are the most requested, but, larger sizes are also needed)
  • Toilet paper
  • paper towels
  • dish soap
  • pot scrubbers
  • toothpaste
  • toothbrushes
  • bar soap
  • deodorant

They also stock a homeless shelf with items such as tuna or chicken salad snack packs, peanut butter crackers, Ensure drinks, water, applesauce or small fruits and vegetables, pop-top can meals, crackers, etc. for those who do not have access to a kitchen. Please consider these items, as well. Paper bags are also welcome. For additional questions or concerns contact Mary Gillman.

Volunteers Needed to Help with Food Ministry: Mission is seeking volunteers who are willing to make food deliveries to Rising Hope Mission Church on Tuesday or Thursday mornings. Someone from the Mission Team will determine delivery contents and will help you load your vehicle. Sign up here. For additional questions or concerns contact Mary Gillman.
How to give at Trinity:
There are three ways to give at Trinity!
  1. Give online through our online donation portal.
  2. Give by text at 703-783-3034. Just send a text that says Give and the Amount. 
  3. If you prefer to mail in your donation, you can send a check to Trinity Church, 2911 Cameron Mills Road, Alexandria, VA 22302.
For further questions about how to give, visit here!

Trinity has changed our financial management system to Breeze. If you still give through Vanco, you can access your Legacy Vanco account here. We encourage you to switch to Breeze, our new online management system as soon as you can. Please cancel your Vanco account first and then send an email to the Church Office so you can receive an email to set up your new giving through Breeze. Thank you for however you give, it is all very much appreciated! For additional questions or concerns, contact the Church Office.
 
Did you know you can support Trinity UMC with a tax-free transfer from your IRA?  If you are age 72 (or 70½ before Jan 1, 2020) and have a Traditional, Rollover, SEP, or SIMPLE IRA, you are required by law to take Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) annually.  But did you know that you can use the RMD as a way to make a tax-free transfer to a charity, including Trinity UMC?  The transfer must be directly from your IRA to Trinity, and your broker can help you with this process so that you get the full tax benefit. Please notify Trinity when you authorize a transfer so that we may confirm receipt.  

Another way to provide financial support to Trinity is with a gift of stock.  Please consult with your broker and a tax adviser (prior to selling stocks intended to benefit Trinity) on how to handle to maximize the tax benefits.  But if you do decide to give stock – please contact the church help. We can provide a form for your broker or tax adviser to facilitate the transfer.  

As always, Trinity is very grateful for any gifts. It makes everything we do at Trinity possible.  If all else fails - please contact Rich McKinney. Thank you again for your giving - no matter how you give!
Sunday, June 20th ~ Father’s Day
 11:00 AM  Worship at via Facebook Live and Trinity Website

Tuesday, June 22nd
  7:00 PM  United Methodist Women’s Dinner

Wednesday, June 23rd
  6:00 PM  Centering Prayer via Zoom
  6:30 PM  Trinity’s Ringer Rehearsal

Sunday, June 27th
 11:00 AM  Worship at via Facebook Live and Trinity Website

Wednesday, June 30th
  6:00 PM  Centering Prayer via Zoom
  6:30 PM  Trinity’s Ringer Rehearsal

Sunday, July 4th ~ Independence Day
 11:00 AM  Worship at via Facebook Live and Trinity Website

Monday, July 5th
 Church Office Closed
City of Alexandria COVID-19 Update: To see the latest news release click here.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information: The Alexandria Health Department and its partners have moved into open scheduling for vaccine clinics. You no longer need to pre-register and can now directly book any available appointment online. COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, free and they can save your life. When enough people get vaccinated, we can get back to normal. Schedule Your Vaccine Appointment! Keep checking alexandriava.gov/Vaccines for available appointments. If you need assistance please call the COVID-19 Hotline Monday - Friday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm at 703.746.4988. If you know of anyone who is a homebound City of Alexandria resident and who needs assistance with vaccination, they should click on this website and fill out the available form and submit online. They will then be notified when it is time to make an appointment. The Health Department will arrange for them to receive a contact person to arrange a COVID-19 vaccination in the home. For questions, visit the City’s webpage which has a button to pre-register; information about who is currently eligible to receive the vaccine; how vaccines work; and other helpful guidance. To visit the Vaccinate Virginia click here click here. The Health Department will notify when appointment slots are available.

Free Transportation to Vaccines to People 60 and Older: Free transportation to get vaccinated is available for individuals aged 60 or older. The Division of Aging and Adult Services is providing free taxi trips for Alexandria City residents aged 60 or over to get COVID 19 vaccines. These trips need to be scheduled in advance – same day trips are not available. For more information, please call 703-746-5999.

Free Home Safety Assessment Program offered by Goodwin House. Goodwin House now offers home safety assessments and project management services with their own Certified Aging in Place Specialist. They will look for ways to improve accessibility and prevent falls in your home. To schedule a home assessment or obtain more information about this service, please contact Bryce Scholar or call 703-930-4458. 

City of Alexandria’s Senior Cool Care Program: This program is for Alexandria residents aged 60 and older with limited income who need assistance with cooling their homes during the summer. If you have questions or wish to find out if you are eligible for assistance, call 703-746-5999.
The Welcome Statement of Trinity United Methodist Church is:
Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.
~ Matthew  10:40
 
Trinity United Methodist Church is committed to be a congregation of Open Hearts, Open Minds and Open Doors. We believe all people are of sacred worth and dignity as part of God's creation and as demonstrated by the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. As Gods love extends to all, we welcome everyone without exception, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, family structure, socio-economic or marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental ability, faith history or life experience. We recognize that we are all different, and those  differences make us a stronger community of faith as we worship together to grow in our relationship with God and one another.
 
The Mission of Trinity United Methodist Church is:
Building a strong Christian community to find, share, and
celebrate the love of Christ in our hearts, neighbors and our world.