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 - June 2020 Newsletter

Although we have been unable to meet officially in any way during this Corona Crisis, we have managed to keep ministry alive and well at TLC. It has not necessarily been the province of just the Board of Social Ministry, but cooperation between folks who see a need and ask for help/permission to make it happen.

I was approached about the fact that the church closure meant that no one was available to access the Food Pantry when people in need came to the church for help. It was suggested that we provide a Blessing Box filled with food items that folks could access any time. I was asked if it was OK to use the Food Pantry supplies to support the Blessing Box. What a great way to keep the spirit of the Food Pantry alive. The Blessing Box is monitored regularly throughout the week by several people and restocked when needed, using the donations on hand in the pantry.

Our homeless ministry has also continued. People are still providing water for the homeless camps supported by Divine Rest. We use our connections with this ministry to get what’s needed where it needs to be. We decided to expand this ministry to providing a hot meal for folks in one of the camps. This will happen on Saturday, May 16. We are providing a BBQ sandwich, baked bean lunch which will be assembled at the church and then delivered to a camp on Wheaton St. Pastor has been invited to provide a prayer and a blessing when we distribute the food. Others here at TLC have piggybacked on this project and are providing bags of toiletries and other items to be distributed with the lunch.

I have seen other groups’ efforts at outreach like the Prayer Request Box and the Ice Cream Truck which are pure outreach and expressions of care for our community. It does not take a lot of work or money to make these projects happen. All it takes is a desire to serve and a commitment to getting things done.

When this crisis is over and we are free again to meet and exchange ministry ideas and encourage one another to action, the Board of Social Ministry is going to tweak its focus. If the Hot Meal for the Homeless is successful, I would like to make it a quarterly ministry. We will most likely not resume doing breakfast as a board. I would prefer to put all that effort into providing meals to those who are truly in need. Any groups that want to continue providing breakfast are welcome to take our spot.

It has truly been a pleasure to work with folks who consistently have ministry on their minds, whether we are meeting physically or not, who see a need and immediately address it and who are always looking for opportunities to serve our community. This bump in the road as opened our eyes to what is possible if we are willing to do the work.

~ Sharon Grefski