The Board of Social Ministry coordinates all social action programs bringing the needs of people in the congregation, community and society in general to the attention of the congregation.  Meetings are held on a monthly basis.  Our ministry includes:

Backpack Ministry

We support three community schools with donations of school supplies and nurse’s items.  White Bluff Elementary, Windsor Forest Elementary, and the STEM Academy each provide us with a wish list at the beginning and middle of the school year.  Backpacks are filled with the generous donations of the congregation and are distributed to the schools to meet their student’s needs. 

Book of the Month Club

This monthly meeting is our answer to small group Bible Study.  We rotate locations for a pot luck supper and Bible study, sometimes showing movies with Christian themes.  Our group serves as the unofficial Cluster 6 Bible study with an open invitation to anyone who would like to join us.  Time and location are listed in the church bulletin. 

Food Pantry

The Food Pantry provides food for families who ask for the church’s assistance.  The Food Pantry is open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.  Items are purchased with the generous donations provided by Trinity Lutheran Church members.  We are in continual need of the following items: canned soup, meat, stew, hash, fruit and vegetables, pasta and pasta sauce, crackers, microwaveable meals, boxed meals w/meat, tuna, cereal and peanut butter and jelly.  Donated items that are not appropriate for distribution through the food pantry are given to the Living Vine. 

Social Outreach

Social Outreach is coordinated with other ministries at Trinity Lutheran Church through adult only, family and/or children events.  We have the responsibility of developing and maintaining activities that reach beyond church walls to the local community. 

Support to the Community

We provide support to Interfaith Hospitality Network and SafeShelter, Center for Domestic Violence Services through social fundraisers and specific events to benefit these organizations.  All are welcome to join us as we reach out into the community.

Sunday Breakfast

Sunday Breakfast is provided by many different groups including Social Ministry, Youth Ministry, Lizzie and the Comfort Dog Ministry, the Board of Elders and various boards and groups that would like to serve this way to collect funds for their ministries, events and projects.  Breakfast is served between early Service and Sunday School.  We are always looking for more help in the kitchen.  If your group would like to commit to a Sunday breakfast just let Sharon Grefski know and she will get you on the schedule. 

Board of Social Ministry members are:

Sharon Grefski                     (912) 927-4569.

Steve Bellmoff                      (912) 308-7584

Pam Edwards                       (912) 713-3111

Bob Grefski                           (912) 659-6915

LeAnn Grefski                      (912) 920-0216

Karen Hanovich                   (912) 656-6511

Brenda Nuscher                   (912) 657-6418

Amanda Tavormina             (912) 373-4222

BOARD OF SOCIAL MINISTRY - October 2020 Newsletter

All our ministries continue to be supported although the hands on participation is accomplished by a few willing workers.

The mission of the Food Pantry is being met by the Blessing Box. Donations to the pantry as well as designated Blessing Box donations are being accessed by the hungry in our community. Volunteers regularly shop for Pantry and Blessing Box items using the donations made by TLC members. They also monitor the box, ensuring that there is always something there for a hungry neighbor to receive.

We assumed that the Blessing box would be used almost entirely by the homeless, but that has turned out not to be the case. Folks who have lost their jobs have been accessing the Blessing Box to help feed their families. We would love your support in providing some family sized items to be made available to those who have more than just themselves to feed. As time goes on it is clear that we are addressing a major community need. We appreciate your help to keep it going.

Hands on Hot Meals for the Homeless is actively providing meals for the homeless in camps in the vicinity of the church every week. I think it is noteworthy that relationships have been formed and trust established between the homeless that are being fed and the TLC volunteers that do all the work. Also noteworthy is the fact that people outside of TLC have been moved to join our volunteers in expanding this ministry. It does not take a huge investment to feed a large group of people. Our volunteers can feed twenty people a hearty meal and also provide some extra necessities for about $45.00. If everyone would designate a small amount of their church donations to Hot Meals for the Homeless we can keep providing these weekly meals to our homeless neighbors. If you’re not sure this is a worthwhile endeavor I encourage you to speak to our volunteers and learn how uplifting and eye opening this type of hands on ministry is to both the recipients and the workers.

In lieu of our usual back pack ministry, we provided school supplies to Safe Shelter for use in their learning center set up for the children who are living at the shelter. They were much appreciated.

We remembered our confirmands with small gifts and cards in recognition of the huge step they have taken in their spiritual growth.

Other activities include providing items for Baby Step Ministries, water for Divine Rest and reaching out to the homebound with cards sent on a regular basis.

Participating in these ministries is a valuable way to stay connected to our community and to our fellow workers at TLC. It is amazing the amount of good work can be accomplished by a few dedicated volunteers.

~ Sharon Grefski