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 - November 2019 Newsletter

Going forward into the holiday season your Board of Social Ministry is excited about our upcoming projects. We concentrate on outreach and supporting the ministries from within our TLC family.

For months Bud and Rosemary Gerdes have maintained and supported our Food Pantry Ministry. Along with Traci in the office, who is the face of this ministry when folks come to ask for help, they make sure that there is sufficient and appropriate food to be distributed. With your generous donations they shop and shelve the food items that serve the needy in our community. Rosemary has reminded me that with the cool weather coming and the holidays close, the Food Pantry will become increasingly busy. On one recent Tuesday Traci served 17 people in a short period of time. Those numbers will increase as the holidays get closer. For Thanksgiving we will be providing a flyer with suggested items needed in the Food Pantry. As you shop and box these items for donation take a moment and think of things that you are thankful for. Participating in this ministry of giving should make us ponder our own blessings.

For Christmas we will support the Food Pantry with a Reverse Advent Calendar Project. Each of the 24 days before Christmas will be assigned a food item. The idea is to place this item in a box or plastic tub each day before Christmas. To keep our heads in the Reason for the Season, we will be providing short Christmas devotions which can be used as you watch your donation box fill up. This would be a great way to get our kids involved and focus on giving. The boxes can be delivered to the gym in the Education Building after December 24. Your donations will help Rosemary and Bud stock the pantry for the months to come and spare them some of the lifting and toting. The Advent flyers will be available after Thanksgiving.

Our Christmas outreach project will be providing Christmas for Safe Shelter kids and their moms. It’s our hope to have a wish list for one special item for each child. In addition, each child and mom will receive a scarf, hat and a pair of Bombas socks and some holiday goodies to round out the fun. Our TLC ladies are working hard to knit and crochet the hats and scarves for this ministry. Thank you, ladies for your efforts. All our breakfast proceeds will be going to fund this project. If you would like to participate, please designate a cash donation to Safe Shelter and we will use the funds for this purpose.

Once again we will be supporting our upcoming confirmands. Watch for a display of photos of this year’s 13 students. We will remember them in our prayers and provide some special goodies for them as they make the journey to confirmation.

~ Sharon Grefski