A Reconciling United Methodist Congregation
| Ministries | ||
Ecological and Social Justice Trinity embraces the challenge found in the Book of Discipline to lead the moral imperative of ecological justice - the integration of social justice and ecological integrity. Through our study and reflection, we have begun to develop the theological basis for our eco-justice covenant and have crafted a draft mission statement to guide development actions in the coming years: Eco-Justice Covenant Statement Trinity commits to encouraging change in how we live our lives, supporting policies that enable changes in our community and making decisions consistent with strong ecological justice principles. We commit to creating programs and spaces to explore and demonstrate the interconnectivity of social justice, faith and environmental stewardship. Through education, advocacy and action, we aim to instill in individuals and in our community the ethical mandate to change lifestyles and social structures in order to support a just, peaceful and ecologically sustainable world. San Francisco Dump Tour - Trinity members took a tour of the San Francisco dump on August 15, 2009. We got to see first hand what happens to all our garbage. We saw the Artist in Residence program and all the beautiful art work that was created from items thrown away in the trash. The trip highlighted the fact that we need to take steps now to preserve God's world for future generations.  Wadi Foquin Behive Project Responding to an invitation from Buena Vista UMC in Alameda, Trinity has become a partner congregation to provide beehives to the village of Wadi Foquin (foo-keen) in Palestine. Wadi Foquin, an agricultural community, is suffering greatly from expanding settlements that impede their access to agricultural land and contaminate their water supply. The Bee Hive Project will provide beehives, equipment and training in the village so that the cultivation and selling of honey may enable this village to survive. Each bee hive costs $250 and houses 20,000 bees. That's approximately a penny a bee! Trinity's goal is three bee hives by the end of the year. So save up those pennies! Donations are not limited to pennies, of course! The people of Wadi Foquin, who initiated this project, have been working on this for over a year with our mission liasion in Israel-Palestine, Janet Lahr Lewis. Janet cites this as an example of how one congregation can advocate for justice while helping to bring hope and encouragement to those who are living under occupation. ***Update! - As of January 1, 2010 we have collected enought pennies for five beehives and one set of beekeeping equipment! Keep those pennies coming in! Quilters Quilters - The Trinity quilt group makes quilts for newlyweds and babies born into our church (we make twin bed sized baby quilts so they'll be surrounded by our love throughout their childhood and take it to college with them). We're delighted with the baby boom we're having - but it means lots more quilts, so please join us! The group meets every Monday from 9:30-11:00 in the Fireside Room (those of us who work fulltime can come on holiday Mondays). Sewing skill or quilting experience is not required, we'll teach you! Contact the church office or Yulan Tong for more information.  |
 |
Sierra Service Project For nearly 15 years the youth of Trinity Church have been strengthening their spirits through participating in the Sierra Service Project repairing homes in Native American communities. Sierra Service Project (SSP) is a non-profit organization providing life-changing experiences through acts of service repairing homes in Native American and urban communities and building homes in Honduras. More information can be found at www.sierraserviceproject.org  This year between July 26 - August 1, 2009, fifteen youth and 3 adults went to the town of Loleta, CA to work with the Wiyot Tribe. We did a variety of general home repair work on houses on the reservation and also on some tribal residences in the off-reservation towns. Because of the high winds and wet winters, there was a big need for weatherization work on many homes, including window and door replacement, and for repairs of water-damaged walls and floors. We also did some painting and roof repairs. You can read about them at http://www.wiyot.com. Berkeley Crop Walk Trinity Church volunteers raise money for hunger relief organizations. This year, Trinity walkers joined in the inaugural Berkeley Crop Walk on April 25, 2010, sponsored by their friends and fellow church members. Trinity's team raised at least $800 for Church World Service, which works with partners like Heifer International and CARE (as well as existing local organizations around the world) to eradicate hunger and poverty and to promote peace and justice. More information can be found at http://www.crophungerwalks.org/berkeley/  Other Ministries Vigil for Peace - Join the Vigil for Peace in Iraq, held every Tuesday at 12:00 noon in front of the Oakland Federal Building, 13th and Clay. This vigil calls for an end to the U. S. occupation of Iraq. Winter Coat Drive - The Berkeley Food and Housing Project is conducting a Winter Coat Drive for no-longer-worn winter coats and/or jackets for men, women, and children. If you have any coats you would be moved to donate, please bring them to church on Sunday or drop them off at the church office. Food Bank Barrel - A Food Bank Barrel is located in the chapel's narthex, waiting for your donations. Hunger is a real and growing problem in the Bay area: 34,000 people live with the threat of hunger - 53% of them are children or seniors. Please remember those in our community who go to bed hungry each night. While food shopping, pick up tow: one to consume and one to give! |
| 2362 Bancroft at Dana |
| Berkeley, California |
| Phone: 510-548-4716 |
| Fax: 510-548-4717 |