Trinity’s Bus Ministry: Because of your generosity, Trinity has been able to purchase a “new” used bus.  It is a 2016 Ford Goshen with approximately 29,000 miles.  It can accommodate 12 passengers and 2 wheelchairs.  The bus came in slightly under our projected cost so there is adequate money in the contributions for the license and registration and the new lettering which will be put on the bus very soon.  Thank you to everyone who contributed toward this very important ministry!

Serving Our Neighbors in Need: During the month of August we initiated an appeal to help support local community service providers.  These providers, since COVID, have seen increased demand for their services, but their abilities to fund raise have been greatly challenged.  I am delighted to report that Trinity members contributed a total of $7,944.43!  Because folks had the opportunity to designate their gifts toward particular organizations, the breakdown is printed below.  As indicated in a recent sermon, your generosity represents more than dollars and cents.  It is food in the belly of a hungry child, shelter for a homeless family, after-school care for a child who would be left at home alone, and may save the life of an LGBTQ young person contemplating suicide because their family has thrown them out.  Your generosity is helping to save and sustain lives!

• Family Promise of Greater Lafayette - $1,728.31
• Lafayette Urban Ministry - $1,571.78
• Food Finders Food Bank - $1,504.78
• Lafayette Transitional Housing - $1,594.78
• Pride Lafayette - $1,544.78

Fall Stewardship: Historically, Trinity has conducted our fall stewardship campaign during the month of October.  This year our campaign will be conducted during November and will focus on the theme of Thanksgiving.  We will highlight the contributions of church members and the ministries they lead.  We hope this fall’s campaign will allow us to celebrate the blessings God has given us and inspire all of us to continue to contribute our time, talents and treasure in ways that advance our vision of “growing in love and service through relationships with God and community.”  Watch for more info on the November stewardship campaign in your November newsletter.

​Giving Year-to-Date: Because of some additional gifts given by members during this COVID crisis, Trinity is not behind, but actually slightly ahead on our year-to-date giving for 2020.  Thank you to those who have generously given beyond their pledged gift to support Trinity’s ministry.

The Living Stones leadership team met on August 14. It was a wonderful way to end my year-long Center for Congregations Resource Grant for several reasons, which encapsulate the successes of our work this year.

​Built to Last: Celebrating 150 years at Trinity: 2019 marks the 150th anniversary of Trinity’s historic church building.  After our successful February anniversary event, two anniversary events remain this fall.  Each event has a different character and has been geared to a different audience.

In light of the news reports, you might be wondering what you can do. The United Methodist Women gave a call to action last week and offered suggestions of what we can do to turn our faith, hope and love into action on behalf of immigrant children who do not have the power to help themselves.

The call to action says, in part: 
We give God thanks for United Methodists who are providing compassionate care to migrants at the border. Border Conferences have established relief centers for migrants. United Methodists from other regions of the country continue to support migrants seeking asylum with their time, talent and treasures. United Methodist congregations across the country have opened their doors to provide sanctuary for those immigrants whose lives would be endangered if they were to be deported to their home countries. UMCOR has been a partner in assisting this connectional work. The General Board of Church and Society has led us faithfully in our advocacy work in support of justice for the migrant and the immigrant. United Methodist Women have also been a strong voice in advocating for the rights of immigrant children and families.

One of the suggestions UMW offers is to work with local organizations that help immigrants in your area. Locally, you can volunteer at Lafayette Urban Ministry’s Immigration Clinic or join the Greater Lafayette Immigrant Allies.

Other actions include: 

• Give to the Advance # 3022144 for Migration. Go to UMCOR – Global Migration for further information.
• Join the General Board of Church and Society in advocacy work alongside migrants. Speak out to end child detention by sending drawings and letters from United Methodists of all ages to Congress and the White House.
• Speak up in support of persons in Sanctuary and the churches, pray for them, and send them a postcard expressing such support.

Take this moment to act. It will make a difference in these challenging times in the lives of suffering immigrants and the brave churches who are ministering to them.

Edited from a letter by Susan Henry-Crowe