A team from St. Louis is going to Antigua, Guatemala, from Feb. 20 - March 1, 2012 to build houses and teach skills to the poor. Pat Courtney and Nancy and Bob Wagoner will be joining the group from Trinity. Each member of the team will be able to take 2 large suitcases, one for his own clothes and one for donated items. Between now and February 12^th (when the items will be packed at Trinity), you can help by donating the following items:

Items for the Malnutrition Center

• Soap
• Shampoo
• Diapers, especially small ones or preemie size
• Plastic pants to cover the diapers - these can be found at Walmart

Items for the God's Child School children

• Clothing, shoes
• Rulers (metric measurement) pencils, hand-held sharpeners, crayons-the best place to get these is the Dollar Store
• Personal products, tooth paste, tooth brushes, combs, wash cloths, etc.
• no pads of paper or notebooks - too heavy
• no markers - they dry out

Sewing / Knitting / Crocheting Supplies for the Mothers:

• Pinking shears, scissors, thread, hand-sewing needles, straight pins
• Cloth/plastic tape measures (metric) small and medium-sized buttons
• Embroidery thread and needles
• Colorful yarn and crochet hooks (especially some of the biggest sizes you can get-size p or larger)
• Knitting needles, all sizes, but especially large sizes, (especially 13, 15, or 17)

Items for the Clinic:

• Bandages, sterile tape, gauze
• Vitamins, non-prescription medicine, samples

Old, lightweight suitcases with weels would be greatly appreciated! They will be left in Guatemala. We will need $40.00 to pay for each suitcase which contains donated items. In addition, the team plans to build bunk beds for the houses we build, so we'll need some cash to enable us pay for these things.

Monetary gifts are preferred in the form of a check made out to Trinity. On the 'memo' line write out that it is intended for the God's Child Project, so that cash can be provided to the team to be taken to Guatemala and converted to the local currency. Checks given to the church will be accounted for as are all standard contributions and pledges. A receipt that can be used for 2012 tax deductions will be supplied for monetary gifts not given through the church, or non-monetary contributions as desired.

Sewing Machines are also needed:

The team plans to take older, metal sewing machines to Guatemala. The machines need to be fairly simple, not ones which have computers in them or do fancy stitches. They should also be in working order. If you know of a machine like this, please contact me, Pat Lobdell at 314-821-0104, by February 5th, and I can come and get it. We can take the machines in our carry-on luggage on the plane, so the shipping costs us nothing.

Benefit Trinity and Simplify Your Shopping

Who needs another tchotchke on their shelves, one more tie in their closet or another noisy electronic toy in the playroom? This Christmas, Trinity is offering you the chance to give a gift to Trinity in honor of your loved one with our very own "alternative gift market"! We have gift prices large and small that cover many areas of church life--evangelism & welcoming, kitchen, music, building needs, and mission partners, for example. Recipients will receive a lovely gift certificate and you'll receive that warm, fuzzy feeling, knowing you've helped your church and given a unique gift.

Here's what You Do:

• Pick a gift to purchase by Monday, December 19
• Contact Liz in the office to have gift Certificate prepared (can be prepared until Thursday, Dec.22)
• Send check or cash to office with gift noted in memo line
• Arrange with office to pick up certificate or have it mailed to your home or another address.

- Stacey Carman, Food Pantry Coordinator

On November 16th, we will distribute turkeys to our food pantry families. Thanks to your generosity, we gave out more than 100 last Thanksgiving. A donation of $12 buys one turkey. Financial donations are more useful than actual turkeys so we can buy in bulk. I need either a donation or a commitment of a coming donation by NOV. 4 so I can place the turkey order.

- Anna Gardner-Andrews, SLPS High School Teacher, Trinity Member

- Liz Nelson

- Dana Brown

- Anna Moffatt Gardner-Andrews, Member & Teacher

The Singer Institute's Senior Connections Program is Looking for Volunteers. Trinity has provided financial support to this program for 3 years and now it's time for us to lend our time.

If you'd like more information about the Senior Connections program (pairing volunteers with isolated seniors living in Long Term Care facilities) and their upcoming training (Saturdays, June18 and 25th, 9am-1pm and again in August), please call the Institute at 314-727-9209 or visit www.seniorconnections-stl.org.

The Summer 2011 Guatemala Service Team is hosting a donation drive and a packing party before it leaves June 16.

Donations will be accepted in the Narthex anytime between Sunday, June 5, and Sunday June 12.

The packing party will be held June 12 after church and will include pizza, salad, drinks, and dessert.

Thanks in advance for your contributions and packing-party participation!

needed items (click here for a flyer):

• Children's Clothing and Shoes
• Adult Clothing and shoes (up to size XL and Shoes Size 9)
• School Supplies:
• Pens, Pencils, Crayons, Markers
• Tablets and paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Backpacks
• Craft Supplies
• Spanish books
• Disposable hygiene products for the homeless shelter
• Disposable razors
• Individual soaps and shampoos
• Toothbrushes (adult and children)
• Individual toothpastes
• Combs
• Toys (no stuffed animals please)
• Medical Supplies (for a complete list of medical supplies, please contact Dan)
• Medications (please make sure they are not expired or recalled items)
• Aspirin
• Vitamins
• Over the counter medications

Donation toward Infant Care Items for Casa Jackson (items for Casa Jackson can all be purchased in Guatemala for much less than in the U.S.; if you would prefer to bring money your group can purchase the items with one of our staff members while you are in Guatemala)

• Disposable diapers (0-12 Months)
• Baby Wipes
• Diaper rash Crème
• Bottles
• Baby shampoo and soap

- Jennifer Higginbotham and DeAnne Brown

Dear Trinity Friends,

Deanne Brown and I are partnering this year, and being supported by the Trinity Mission Team. Our Mission: The Annual NAMI Walks for the Minds of America. NAMIWalks, the signature walkathon event of the National Alliance on Mental Illness,

When: Saturday, May 28, 2011 -Memorial Day weekend. Check in is at 8:00 am with a Mental Health Fair. Walk begins at 9:00 am.

Where: St. Louis, MO at Upper Muny Parking Lot in Forest Park We invite the congregation to join us in our Mission. You can Walk with us OR Sponsor us. OR you can walk with us AND sponsor us!

To WALK with us: you can register by going to http://www.NAMI.org/walks. You want to Join a Team - choose Independence Center in the drop down. This way the sponsorships you raise will be shared between NAMI and Independence Center.

To SPONSOR us: just visit my personal walker page to sign up: http://www.nami.org/namiwalks11/STL/jhigginbotham. It features a link to Independence Center's team page where you can see who else is walking with us. There is also a link so you can donate directly to us online. Donating online is fast and secure, and I'll get immediate notification via e-mail of your donation. Again, by donating through my page, the donation will be a 2 for 1! You contribution will be shared by NAMI and Independence Center.

NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the largest education, support and advocacy organization that serves the needs of all those touched by these illnesses. This includes persons with mental illness, their families, friends, employers, and the law enforcement community and policy makers. The goals of NAMI Walks are to fight the stigma that surrounds mental illness and to build awareness that the mental health system in this country needs to be improved.

Independence Center is the second largest Clubhouse Model psychiatric rehabilitation program in the world, serving over 200 members each day in the St. Louis metro area. We are a colleague training base, training members and staff from all over the world in our model of rehabilitation. We help our members find housing, employment, education, friends, and provide a community where one is needed, wanted and expected each day. If you haven't visited, please consider coming by to have a tour and lunch with me sometime!

We collaborate with NAMI to fight stigma, build awareness, and on helping our members find employment opportunities.

Thank you in advance for your support! Every little bit makes a huge difference!

Liz Nelson is coordinating Trinity's participation with Project ARK (AIDS/HIV Resources and Knowledge) in their efforts to collect toys and funds for Kids, an annual toy drive for over 1,000 children affected by HIV/AIDS in the St. Louis Metro area.

What Can You Do?

• Collect new, unwrapped toys for children ages 1-14 years.
• Collect gift certificates to area vendors to assist with toy drive shopping.
• Make a monetary donation to the Holiday Gold for Kids Toy Drive.

Why?

• The children you are helping are living with the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS.
• The toys you give them will most likely be the only toys they receive this holiday season.
• The Holiday Gold for Kids Toy Drive provides hope to many during the holiday season!

When?

Monday, November 26 - Friday, December 21, 2007

Due to popular suggestion, we have provided a wish list for each age group receiving toys through our
annual Toy Drive. Please note, these are only suggestions and we are grateful for all gifts donated!

"Equality in Missouri - An Update on Legislative Actions"

Did you know that in St. Louis County gay people can still be fired from their job, denied housing, and access to public accommodations, such as retirement facilities? Our speaker from PROMO, Missouri's statewide organization that advocates for LGBT equality, will speak on efforts to extend non-discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Trinity's Session publicly supported PROMO's safe Schools Act work last year. See www.PROMOonline.org for more information. Adult education class: Sunday, October 30, 9:30am, Weems Chapel. Andrew Shaughnessy, St. Louis Regional Field Organizer, PROMO

- Becca Courtney, Member & Nursery Coordinator

First Steps (where I work) is hosting a trivia night! The proceeds will benefit our program in Joplin, which lost everything in the massive tornado this spring. First Steps is Missouri's Early Intervention system for infants and toddlers, birth to age 3, who have delayed development or diagnosed conditions that are associated with developmental disabilities.

Saturday, September 24, 7:00 pm @ Scottish Rite, 3633 Lindell

I would love to extend an invite to you and others who "get down" with trivia and/or may consider making a Silent Auction donation. There will also be a facebook page and flier available soon for more info. So... start getting' that table together! Please let me know if you have any questions...or if you need me to start the smack talk now in order to assist you in deciding to participate!

Download a flyer

- Amanda Meinen, former Trinity Choir soloist

Worship service (10:30am) followed by a fellowship lunch (12 noon).

Main dish will be provided. Trinity members please bring a side dish or dessert to share with others.

Proceeds to benefit Griffith Elementary School Music Class (affected by the Good Friday tornado in Ferguson)

Click here to download a flyer.

- Rhonda Dunbar

Click here to see pictures of the books donated by Trinity youth to the library of the Holy Names High School in Lesotho, where member Shanthi Phillips is serving in the Peace Corps.

See Shanthi's blog for more details.

A few weeks ago, we commissioned the Guatemalan weaving now having in our gathering area. The weaving was brought back by the spring mission trip group:

Thursday, July 7: , 8:30-10:30am.

The faith community discusses challenges of the LGBT community and ways to be welcoming. Kirkwood Baptist Church.

flyer: http://www.faithaloud.org/missouri/documents/FairandJustBreakfast.pdf

Liz is going--anyone want to join her?

- Liz Nelson, Chuch Administrator

- Rhonda Dunbar, former Trinity Youth Leader

Dear Family and Friends,

I cannot believe that it is already March! The end of first semester means that we have been busy testing students' progress .As most people know, I love to read and am passionate to teach students how to read so that they can love to read too. So, I am very excited to share the following information:

• September 2010 average independent reading level: 5.5
• February 2011 average independent reading level: 7.2
• Improvement in one semester: 1.7 grade levels
• Percent who improved reading level from September to February: 81%
• Largest reading level jump for a single student: 2^nd to 6^th

We have been quite busy with many activities and events. A couple of week ago was Spirit Week at the Academy. My favorite day was dress like a student/teacher. A junior at the Academy named Shange told me on Monday that she was going to dress like me. We exchanged clothes and after Shange assisted me with adjusting her hat the look was perfected.The picture attached is of Shange and me as each other. Shange told me that was her best "Rhonda smile". Last week was our 4^th annual "I have a dream event" that we co-sponsor with another non-profit, the Youth Life Foundation. There were videos, speeches, and performances from the participants of both organizations.

Spring is looking to be just as busy as the winter. A service team of 24 students from the University of Richmond and Old Dominion University will be spending their Spring Break with CHAT starting March 7^th. Then the next week, we will have a group from Virginia Commonwealth University spending their week with us. If you or your church is interested in spending a day, a weekend, or week with CHAT contact me or our Service Group Coordinator, Mackenzie Mumey at (804) 236-4964. Another upcoming event is that the Academy will be having our spring open house on March 31^st at 8:00 a.m.If you are in the Richmond area and interested in attending please contact me or Caitlin Barnes (caitlin.delconte@churchhillacademy.org) for more information.

A quick financial update, I currently have just under $15,000 pledged and have received just under $14,000 of my $20,000 goal. Thank you all for your continued financial and prayer support.Please continue to pray for my financial support. In addition, please pray for the new LOVE Bible study that Sarah Craven, Listwella Donaldson, Stacey Kent and I are starting for 5^th and 6^th grade girls. We are excited about how God is going to use all of us in these new relationships.

Peace and Love,
Rhonda Dunbar

a letter from Laura Hill of the African Library Project to Sarah Schmidt and George & Alice Philips...

Dear George, Alice and Sarah,

Thank you for completing your African Library Project book drive!

The container is on its way to Lesotho and with it your hard work in the form of a future library. We've attached an electronic thank you from us to you celebrating your accomplishment and naming you a 2010 Global Literacy Champion.

We hope that you will post this on your website, publish it in an e-newsletter or print it and hang it where all those who contributed might share in the pride of this accomplishment. Congratulations and thank you!

I hope to work with you again on future libraries :-)

Sincerely,

Laura Hill
Book Drive Coordinator

- Barry Larson, Bean Roaster & Founder of Bridges Community Support Services, Inc.

- Warren Terrell, Student in Anna's Class

- Dan Anderson-Little, Pastor

Please fill out this form and either submit it to the Church Office or bring it to present in person at the next Do Justice meeting.