- Matt Schindler
The new elevator and other renovations are expensive projects. Given the significant challenge set by these parts of the project, several people have questioned why the campaign includes additional fundraising for a mission project. They suggest that it might be easier to reach our goals if we just focused on the elevator and associated building projects.
Christian stewardship calls us to give generously, and in particular, to always give to those in need. It is true that we have significant needs in our own building, but we would not be living up to our calling if we only focused on Trinity's internal needs.Scripture is full of reminders that we must share of our countless blessings with others: "Happy are those who consider the poor;* the Lord delivers them in the day of trouble. 2The Lord protects them and keeps them alive; they are called happy in the land." Psalm (41:1-2, NSRV). Bearing this imperative in mind, the Session decided that a small mission component should be added to the campaign.This was proposed and approved at the congregational meeting in January.
The Session has chosen to work with an ecumenical group known as Safe Homes for the Elderly and Disabled (SHED). This is a newly formed group based in University City, and several Trinity members are actively involved in SHED leadership. The mission of the organization is to provide basic home repair and maintenance to elderly and disabled members of our community who are not able to do the work themselves, and for whom hiring professional assistance is too costly. Session felt that this was an appropriate mission partner for several reasons. First, SHED's mission to improve accessibility for elderly and disabled persons dovetails nicely with our campaign themes of accessibility and welcoming. Secondly, working with a partner based in our community reinforces the important role of Trinity in our current location. Finally, this partnership will allow for ongoing and direct participation by our members, so that we can practice personal commitment in addition to financial support.
The theme for our Capital Campaign is "Restore & Renew". While this includes technical improvements to our church building, the theme that runs through them is inclusiveness and welcome.
Without an elevator we cut off access to our building not only to Trinity's members and visitors who need it to get to worship, or other church events throughout the week, but also to any member of the community who participates with one of Trinity's many partners who use our space - be it picking up local, farm-fresh food from Fair Shares, taking their children to lessons from the Community Music School, or meeting with one of the numerous support groups with whom we open our space each week.
While the improvements to this building will benefit many in our community, the Session felt it was critical that we also spread our message of inclusiveness and welcome throughout the community by restoring and renewing not only this space, but also the world around us.
Trinity has selected Safe Housing for the Elderly and Disabled as our mission partner for the capital campaign. SHED is a University City-based organization that was formed last year with Trinity as a founding partner, along with four other congregations. Trinity members Pat Gibbons and Rick Jeter have been fundamental to getting SHED up and running.
So, what does SHED do? SHED gathers and organizes requests for assistance from residents of University City who need, but cannot afford, help to make their homes safe and accessible. Whether it's simply yard work that can no longer be done, or repairs and small construction projects to help our neighbors in need be able to stay in and use their homes safe despite the challenges they face from age or disability, SHED is there to provide what they need, at no cost to them.
The financial commitment Trinity is making to SHED through the capital campaign will allow them to expand their operations to meet the incredible amount of need there is in University City for their services. SHED will be able to obtain tools for volunteers to use, allowing more people pitch in to help. It will allow SHED to hire contractors when necessary to provide quality work on more complex projects that are beyond the abilities of volunteer labor. And it will provide administrative support to more quickly identify people in need, and get the work done that will make a tangible improvement in their lives.
We also chose SHED because it is easy to get involved, and the opportunities are very flexible to accommodate the busy schedules of Trinity members. Typically, a project runs for just a morning or an afternoon, with the crew coordinating its work with the homeowner. This allows more of us to have a direct impact on improving our neighbor's lives by working to help them restore and renew their homes. Simply put, SHED's efforts improve our community.
As part of our capital campaign, we will be having our first Congregation-wide SHED workday on Saturday, May 22. We invite each of you to volunteer on that day to see SHED in action. As someone who has already volunteered for SHED, I can tell you that it will make a real difference in our neighbor's lives, and it will change yours as well.
Please join us on Saturday, May 15 for a workday in support of Safe Homes for the Elderly and Disabled (SHED), a University City-based organization of which Trinity is a founding member. As you may have read in the campaign brochure that arrived this week, SHED is the mission partner for our ongoing Restore and Renew campaign. This workday is an excellent opportunity for you to get to make a difference in the lives of our elderly and disabled neighbors in University City, and see why Trinity is supporting this organization.
Teams are forming now--the more volunteers we have, the more people we can reach! We will disperse in small teams to community members' houses throughout the area to perform yard work, light maintenance, and painting, to help transform people's houses back into homes that are safe and that the homeowners can feel proud to inhabit. Please let me know (camra.dave@gmail.com) at your earliest convenience if you are able to work on the morning of Saturday, May 15.
Peace,
Dave Nelson
Trinity is a founding member of an informal coalition of University City churches, Safe Homes for the Elderly and Disabled, or SHED. When our capital campaign succeeds, support for SHED will be the outreach piece of the building campaign that we are undertaking. In anticipation of this major support, Trinity plans a work Saturday on May 15. We will select homes, form teams, and, after a brief time of prayer, go out to work. We will be recruiting team leaders and signing up workers soon.
In SHED, teams of church members go to homes of persons in and near University City who can no longer do the work that the home needs. Last December 19, four from Trinity went to a home near Canton and Purdue to do much needed yard work. The homeowner was gracious and grateful. You can see some pictures at the SHED website, www.shedvolunteers.org. You can also see a list of some homes at which there is work to be done. The work is usually yard care, painting, or simple carpentry repair.
Trinity Church is a founding member of SHED (Safe Homes for the Elderly and Disabled), a cooperative venture of several churches in the central area of Greater St. Louis. SHED's mission is to help elderly and disabled persons to live safely, comfortably and independently by providing home maintenance services. Volunteers can perform minor building repairs, house cleaning, yard work and other jobs that do not require special tools or skills. Charter members of SHED, which form the Founding Council, are: Us, Baptist Church of the Holy Communion, Christ the King Catholic Parish, First Presbyterian Church, Mt. Beulah Missionary Baptist Church, St. James Lutheran Church, Trinity Presbyterian Church, and University United Methodist Church. A group from Trinity ventured out last month to provide mowing, raking, hedge trimming, and some gutter cleaning for a grateful elderly lady on Purdue in University City. Pat Gibbons, a representative from Trinity, will alert the congregation of future opportunities to get out into the neighborhood and help a few hours at a time. Check out SHED's website at: www.shedvolunteers.org and contact Pat with questions: pcg@wuphys.wustl.edu.